The Jakarta Post, 10/17/2002 5:34:56 PM
It's time to restore security in Ambon, Christian leader says
AMBON, Maluku (JP): Leader of the Maluku Protestant Church Rev. IWJ Hendrik said
here on Thursday that the government should make use of the momentum to restore
security in Ambon following the withdrawal of Laskar Jihad, a Muslim militia led by
Ja'far Umar Thalib.
The first batch of 780 members departed on Tuesday from Ambon on board the KM
Doloronda passenger ship heading for Java. Ja'far had disbanded the milita more than
a week ago.
Hendrik said the Maluku people as a whole expected security to be restored as soon
as possible.
Hendrik attributed the relatively calm situation to the local communities' understanding
that not all Muslims were Laskar Jihad members and that not all Christians were
members of the South Maluku Republic (RMS) separatist group.
Meanwhile, chairman of the Ambon City Council Lucky Wattimury warned the
provincial security authorities to beware of local agitators after the Laskar Jihad
members returned to Java. "I have noted that the latest bombings were masterminded
by local agitators from both communities," he said here on Thursday.
Lucky said the withdrawal of Laskar Jihad members was a reflection of the
government's commitment to restore security and order. "Actually, the removal of
Jihad members had been one of the five points in the agreement between the Ambon
City Council and the central government," he said.
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