CRISIS CENTRE DIOCESE OF AMBOINA
Jalan Pattimura 32 -- Ambon 97124 -- Indonesia
Tel 0062 (0)911 342195 Fax 0062 (0)911 355337
E-mail: crisiscentre01@hotmail.com
Ambon, March 3, 2005
THE SITUATION IN AMBON/MOLUCCAS - Report No. 469
1. MUTUAL HELP BY CHRISTIAN AND MUSLIM YOUNGSTERS - To mark the
400th anniversary of protestant presence in the Moluccas, christian and muslim
young people in close togetherness cleaned up the Al-Fatah mosque compound and
the Maranatha church complex in the city of Ambon. All of these youngsters
apparently enjoyed to be able - at last - to be together and to work in the context of
mutual aid.
2. ANTICIPATING APRIL 25 - April 25 is the annual commemoration day by
separatist RMS (Republic of South Moluccas) supporters. They are expected this
year, too, to give acte de présence by organizing a flag-raising ceremony, and in other
ways hoisting RMS flags in and around Ambon. Last year this event resulted in the
burning of hundreds of houses and more than forty people being killed on both sides.
So now - in order to prevent possible unrest - Police have started to deploy snipers in
four restive neighbourhoods in the city of Ambon.
3. STRATEGIC DEVICES TO BE SENT - As the Moluccas is still regarded as apt to
conflict, Police HQ in Jakarta will immediately send various pieces of equipment
anticipating unrest around April 25, the annual RMS commemoration day. The
equipment includes Barakuda vehicles, armaments with censor cameras, a patrol
ship and an airplane. Also several motorbikes are included. The equipment may also
contribute to the safeguarding of Indonesian territory in the Moluccas and forestall any
smuggling and embezzling of Indonesian property.
4. CONSOLIDATING SECURITY AT THE PATTIMURA UNIVERSITY - Speaking at
the Technological Faculty of the Universitas Pattimura ("Unpatti") to the assembled
students on March 1, 2005, Governor Karel Albert Ralahalu proclaimed the return of
ten thousand students to the original university campus at Poka / Rumahtiga. He
confirmed that seven security posts had been established in both villages, since long
home to the Pattimura University, however, having very fiercely experienced the
impact and consequences of the unrest. These seven posts have also been ordered to
thward all kinds of rumours and provocations. "We can also count on the cooperation
of the rajas (traditional "kings") of Baguala, Leihitu and Salahutu", Ralahatu said. He
appealed to all the Latupati (adat chiefs) of the island to endorse this major step
towards complete reconciliation between the erstwhile mutually opposing parties.
5. EARTHQUAKE - A sudden tectonic earthquake of 6,5 on the Richter scale
shocked people in the South East Moluccas (Tual, Elat, Larat, Saumlaki etc.) in the
evening of March 2. In Ambon and Masohi, too, the tremor could be felt. However, no
casualties or major damage have been reported, neither was there a major tsunami.
For detailed map: see www.malra.org/posko
C.J.Böhm msc,
Crisis Centre Diocese of Amboina |
