TEMPO, 29 April 2004
Ambon Conflict
Situation in Ambon Still Tense
TEMPO Interactive, Ambon, Maluku:Up to Wednesday night (28/4), the situation in
Ambon was still tense with the city's areas of Batu Gantung Waringin, Talake and
Prigi Lima still dark and silent.
However, no sounds of shots nor bombs were heard in these areas, that have been
the center of the conflict in Ambon during the last three days.
From Wednesday morning to afternoon, 10 people were shot, and one of them died
after being treated at the Al-Fatah hospital.
Tens of houses and a place of worship were also burnt down in the rioting.
Because of the rioting in Ambon, more than 2,000 people living in areas on the
borders of Muslim and Christians' residences were forced to flee their homes.
Based on observations made by Tempo News Room, on Wednesday afternoon, the
situation appeared to be calmer in the areas surrounding AY Patti street as many
children and adults were seen playing soccer.
However, in the areas nearby Al Fattah mosque, many people were still visiting to
their relatives who were victims of the conflict.
On Wednesday afternoon, ad interim Coordinating Minister for Political and Security
Affairs Hari Sabarno, Indonesian Military (TNI) chief Gen. Endriartono Sutarto, Minister
of Health Sujudi and National Police chief Gen. Da'i Bachtiar arrived in Ambon.
They held a meeting with local leaders and local government officials at the Pattimura
airport, Laha village.
At the meeting, Sabarno said that the government was obligated to improve the
security situation in Ambon and take stern measures against the separatist
movements that triggered the recent conflict.
According to him however, such measures should be thoroughly considered first, "as
we have to also honor human rights."
Meanwhile, ad interim Coordinating Minister for People's Welfare , Malik Fadjar, said
that the government has actually been aware of a possible conflict in Ambon since a
fortnight ago.
"At that time, I went to Ambon with the Coordinating Minister for People's Welfare
Jusuf Kalla and the Japanese Ambassador to Indonesia to rebuild the Pattimura
university. We heard rumors regarding the raising of South Maluku Republic (RMS)
flags scheduled for April 25," Fajar told reporters in Jakarta on Wednesday (28/4).
Fadjar and Kalla then asked the local security personnel to check into the rumors.
Fadjar stated that the Maluku Police chief had promised to prepare the police in
anticipation of the flags being raised.
But, the conflict still took place in Ambon.
Fadjar also stated that the government has sent additional troops, logistics, 20
medical doctors and medicine to Ambon.
"Our next step will be formulated at the cabinet meeting on Thursday (29/4) after
listening to the report of Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs and
National Police," said Fadjar. (Mochtar Touwe, Yusnita & Deddy Sinaga - Tempo
News Room)
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