The Jakarta Post, May 09, 2007
Maluku victims press claims for compensation
M. Azis Tunny , The Jakarta Post, Ambon
Claims from at least 8,000 families displaced by years of sectarian violence in Maluku
remain unsettled because funds provided by the central government and other sources
have been used by the provincial administration.
Due to the absence of clear-cut settlement procedures, the Maluku Social Services
Office is visited daily by groups of displaced people still uncertain about their futures.
Even though they have identity cards and documents to support their claims, there is
no guarantee that their rights will be fulfilled.
Wa Ija, a refugee from Halong village in Baguala district, Ambon, told The Jakarta
Post on Tuesday he had registered his family house as his place of origin, but there
had been no response from social services.
"If feel like I have been fooled. Every time I come here (to the social services office), I
am advised to come back the next day, even though I have already submitted all the
paperwork required for refugees," he said.
Ambon was ravaged by sectarian violence between Muslims and Christians in January
1999. The violence largely ended in 2002, following the signing of the Malino peace
treaty.
Farida La Mima, a refugee from Passo village in Baguala district was displaced during
the conflict. However, her rights as a refugee were refused after another refugee
claimed compensation entitled to her through a false ID card. She was powerless and
the police did not take any action.
"I've reported the case twice to the police, but have had no response," said Farida,
who now lives with relatives.
Head of the social services office, Feno Tahalele, said compensation claims were
processed by his office staff in cooperation with other village offices. He denied
knowledge of the ID falsification, claiming that it was the village offices that knew more
about the refugees from the village.
"We provide assistance based on refugees registered at the village," he said.
Problems are increasing, Tahalele said, because his office has run out of funds to
assist the displaced.
Maluku Governor Karel Albert Ralahalu admitted the funds provided to assist
displaced people had run out.
"The responsibility lies with both the provincial and regency administration. We will
work together to settle the problem," Ralahalu said.
He said the post for displaced Maluku people, chaired by an assistant to the
provincial administration, Rahman Soumena, would soon be dissolved as it was
considered redundant with the existence of the social services office.
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