The Jakarta Post, 23 May 2002
'TNI exercises won't ease tension in Maluku'
Annastashya Emmanuelle, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Ambon and Jakarta based non-governmental organizations representing groups in
restive Maluku, opposed the Indonesian Military's plan to stage war games in the area
for fear of creating wider conflict.
The lack of coordination between security personnel and the governor, as well as the
frequent clashes between police and the military, has resulted in widespread distrust
among the people.
In addition, the police and military's involvement in the conflict, by taking sides with
the warring factions, has left security personnel partial, giving the impression that they
are not there to protect the public.
"I don't think a greater military presence in the province will help achieve or restore the
situation, especially if they are merely there to change the conflict area to a training
field," Sven Loupatty, chief of Hualopu Maluku Foundation told The Jakarta Post on
the sidelines of the seminar called Resolution and Reconstruction of the Social
Conflict in Ambon on Wednesday.
The conflict in the area has become even more complicated than when the conflict
first erupted in 1999, he said, thus those who are without sincere intentions to help
the people and solve the conflict should not enter Ambon because their presence
there would worsen the conflict.
The Army Strategic Reserves Command (Kostrad) Commander, Lt. Gen. Ryamizard
Ryacudu who was in Ambon, disclosed to the media on Tuesday the military would
hold joint exercises that would involve combat troops from the Army, Navy and Air
Force in efforts to help restore security and order.
Ryamizard also warned security personnel about maintaining their neutrality and
loyalty to their institution and the state in carrying out their mission in the conflict
area. He suggested that soldiers loyal to their home of origin and religion leave the
military service.
Sarlito Wirawan Sarwono, dean of the school of psychology of the University of
Indonesia, who has run a crisis center in the area, said that an alternative solution to
conflict was to find the provocateurs behind the prolonged conflict.
He also suggested the central government and the provincial administration should
enhance coordination in enforcing the law.
Ichsan Malik, a member of the team promoting peace among the conflicting groups in
the province, suggested the military conduct their training elsewhere and the
government start reducing the military presence since their presence is considered
unhelpful.
"In Ambon, the TNI and the police are part of the problem. It would be better if their
number were reduced to a minimum if the government were to send people who are
more committed to bringing peace to the area,"
Ichsan also called on the military to begin recognizing the civilian government and
start collaborating to resolve the prolonged conflict that has claimed more than 6,000
lives and displaced more than 750,000 people to other provinces.
Most participants of the seminar were of the same opinion, that the central
government was unable to end the conflict despite the Malino II peace agreement,
which has proved ineffective.
One of the clauses in the agreement is to anticipate and take stern measures on
separatist movements such as the South Maluku Republic (RMS) who caused havoc
when RMS celebrated its anniversary on April 25.
"The government are quite aware of this event, yet nothing was done beforehand," said
Abdul Gani Fabanyo from the Maluku People Empowerment Agency.
The Maluku Women's Coalition said that as the government and its security
apparatus had failed to create peace, more and more people have placed their hope in
patron organizations such as Laskar Jihad and RMS to provide them with protection.
Yet, many believe the conflict in the area is not sectarian because people from both
religious communities had been living in harmony over the last two years.
They suspected there are certain people or sides, outside of the area, who were trying
to prolong the conflict.
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