From: "Joshua Latupatti" joshualatupatti@hotmail.com
Date: Mon, 07 Jan 2002 12:45:20 +0000
THE ILLEGAL LASKAR JIHAD AND ITS DECEITFUL
PROTECTOR
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It has been extensively reported that peace agreement had finally established
between Moslems and Christians in Poso. It is said that the representatives of several
elements of people from both sides had actively took part to reach a mutual
understanding but it did not give specific information on those elements involved and
how they were chosen. This is crucial because there is a strong favoritism to legalize
"Laskar Jihad Ahlus Sunah wal Jamaah" as one element of local people. If this is
evident then the peace agreement will not last. The main reason about the above
statement will be explained while what had happened recently in Maluku can be
viewed as an example. The Government was overconfident in stating that the condition
in Maluku had been brought under control of the Regional Civil Emergency Authority
but it turned out otherwise. This proves that without removing the "laskar jihad" from
the area, then secure and peaceful condition is simply an illusion. What had recently
happened in the town of Palu, central Sulawesi, should be viewed as a continuation of
the conflict of Poso. The destruction of several Church buildings in Palu has revealed
the real situation in central Sulawesi. Without sterilizing the area from the carrier of
sectarian virus, which is "laskar jihad", the well published peace consensus set up by
the Government of Indonesia is nothing but an insincere propaganda.
In certain conversations about Poso, the term "illegal residents" was brought up but
so far no related action was recorded. In contrast, the Government never touches the
problem of "unlawful entry of laskar jihad to Maluku, their illegal activities, and illegal
occupation over Christian villages in Maluku. Why would the Government be so
reluctant to deal with the problems lying on the illegal presence of "laskar jihad" in
Maluku? On what ground then, would Government provide and preserve peaceful
condition in Maluku, while law and justice are not fully served? This peculiar attitude of
the Government is indeed an interesting question to think about.
The previous writing had enlightened that the essence of "laskar jihad" who fight
Christians in Maluku and Poso was the deserted army personnel, police officers and
some International terrorists from Afghanistan, Malaysia, Moro-the Philipine, etc.
Other reliable sources had indicated that "laskar jihad" comprises thousands of
low-educated and unemployed Moslems from all over the island of Jawa and from
other parts of the country. The source also revealed several common recruitment
centers such as that in Petamburan and Jelambar areas of Jakarta, where these
low-educated and unemployed "laskar jihad" just sit and wait to be used by
politicians, businessmen or any government officials as a 'hit squad'. This fact is more
or less also applied to what so called the "Islam Defender Forum" (FPI)!
This information explains why "laskar jihad " had wiped out and occupied Christian
villages, and refuse to hand them back to their original owners. They invented
untruthful histories and ridiculous arguments to legalize their illegal occupation of
Christian villages. They declared that since these villages were invaded through a
battle, then Christians would have to get them back them through a battle as well.
Contrastingly, they would go on a strike demanding Israel to unconditionally return all
Arab's land occupied trough a shameful '7 day war' which initiated by Arab nations
themselves. They could on top of everything, these former Christian villages are in
fact, "the gift of Allah" and their occupation is therefore, completely authorized.
Apparently, this illegal inhabit over Christian villages had been thoroughly arranged
and implicitly supported by Government. During his visit to Maluku, a member of
National Legislative Council (DPR) who is a chairman of the National Mandate Party
(PAN), "A.M. Fatwa", considered the ruined Christian villages in Maluku, such as in
the islands of Seram, Buru, Ambon, etc. as "an opportunity" and therefore urged
Moslems from outside Maluku to take this opportunity. Accordingly, he urged
Moslems from outside Maluku to take this opportunity, saying that he have seen the
situation in Maluku is encouraging to Moslem refugees to return to Maluku. This
statement was made even before the Christian village of Waimulang in southern part
of Buru island was totally destroyed and the other one, Ewiri, was attacked. Prior to
that, the head of Provincial Department of Mining and Energy had planned to start an
oil exploration project in Bula, Seram island, where the miners would be recruited from
local people and thousands more will be brought from outside Maluku, mostly from
Jawa. Up until now the local people of Bula is Moslems, since Christians have been
wiped out from that area. It is too simple to realize that in a long run, not only
Christians but also Moslems from Maluku would be drawn away from their land, and
this would provide a perfect new habitation for the thousands low-educated and
unemployed "laskar jihad" and their families.
In numerous gatherings organized by "laskar jihad", their attitudes towards Christians
is clearly identifiable through the many "dakwah" (preachings and teachings) of their
leader, "Jaf'ar Umar Thalib"! Moslems minds were loaded with suspicion and hatred
toward Christians, who are alleged to be the worst enemies of Allah. Jaf'ar Umar
Thalib is deliberately misleading Moslems to view Christians as infidels whose main
desire would always be the destruction of Islam and the misery of Moslems. This is
systematically carried out by the Republic of South Maluku (RMS) and by the
Malukan Sovereignty Front (FKM) in pursuing an Independent Christian State of
Maluku, apart from the Republic of Indonesia. Determined by this objective what so
called Christian Separatism Movements had initiated the sectarian conflict in Maluku
to eliminate Moslems from Maluku. Moslems' lives would always be in jeopardy
unless these distrusted Christians were totally extinguished. Jaf'ar then asserted that
assassinating Christians is surely an obligation of faith to every true Moslem, and a
responsibility of Moslems to defend the unity of the nation and these are what "laskar
jihad" is called for.
The whole things are, of course, just a huge lie. Both RMS and FKM have comprised
Moslems and Christians of Maluku and there was not a single stupid Christian who
tried to scare Moslems away by robbing and looting his own house and Church in
January 19, 1999 while Moslems are in their full spirit of " victory day" of Idul Fitri.
Even if the above allegations against Christians are definitely true, there is no such
law that allows any . . civilian group to act as National Guards. There is not a single
law-abiding country that tolerates any civilian group to perform such a massive
attacks and massacres against another civilians in the name of religion. There is no
doubt that humanity and justice have been exclusively abused by this "laskar jihad"!
Their deceitful claim as a Moslem and national integration defender can be easily
rebuked using one simple fact that they have never been to Aceh, the most Moslem
dominated province which also fights for its independence. This fact is very well
acknowledged by the Government of Indonesia, but there is absolutely nothing they
have done about it.
In many occasions, The Government of Indonesia through its Coordinating Minister of
Political and Security Affair, "Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono", had exposed its supports
to "laskar jihad"! One of Yudhoyono's latest had even provide an excuse for the
involvement of what so called 'Islamic international terrorists' in "laskar jihad's"
outlawed activities, claiming that some International (Western and Christian) NGOs
were seen to have been supporting Christians ever since the conflict broke out. Susilo
Bambang Yudhoyono purposely ignored the fact that what these NGOs had supplied
were mostly food and medication, even to Moslem refugees. One thing that bothers
Yudhoyono and "laskar jihad" is that these NGOs knew and revealed the true story
about the conflicts out to the world. They therefore, described such reports as
'Western and Christian accusations against Islam' that call for International
involvement such as from North American and European countries or from the United
Nations to overpower Moslems in Indonesia. The presence of "laskar jihad" is
therefore, justified (?).
It is a bare truth that "laskar jihad" had gained a full support from the chairman of the
People Assembly (MPR), "Amien Rais", who is the founder and the leader of the
National Mandate Party (PAN). He addressed the crowd in a special Moslem
gathering (tablich akbar) at Monas, Jakarta, November 11, 1999, that since the
Government of Indonesia (he meant Abdurachman Wahid, his main political opponent
at that time) had failed to restore peace and security in Maluku, then "laskar jihad"
had sensed their duty to defend their Moslem sister and brothers in Maluku from
Christian invaders. Amien Rais had publicly encouraged a mob of civilian militia to
take the law in their own hands, which made him a prime criminal. Only after Maluku
had been devastatingly destroyed did Amien Rais change direction by proposing an
equality, a mutual understanding, and a religion based peace attitude as a genuine
solution for the conflict he had previously aggravated. This lunatic and criminal
remains untouched by the law and so does "laskar jihad"!
Another important and continuous espousal to "laskar jihad" was recorded coming
from the recent Vice President of Indonesia, "Hamzah Haz", who leads the Islamic
based United Development Party (PPP). Hamzah Haz was standing next to Amien
Rais before the particular gathering (tablich akbar) granting his blessings to "laskar
jihad" to infiltrate Maluku, before he entered the vice presidential palace. It did not
make any sense when this man was appointed by the President of Indonesia to deal
with the sectarian conflicts in Maluku and Poso, he is emotionally and politically
involved in. As a result, Hamzah Haz then made his first most disgraceful move as
Vice President by welcoming the "laskar jihad" at the palace and considered the
rioters as Government's partners in Maluku He irrationally asked "laskar jihad", the
Christians and Moslems slaughters, to restore and uphold peace and justice in
Maluku and Poso. Implicitly, Hamzah Haz had confirmed a legitimacy of "laskar
jihad".
In addition to that, the National Legislative Council (DPR) has verified its total
commitment to "laskar jihad". In fact, there is some kind of informal mutual agreement
between the "laskar jihad" and the DPR. The DPR has been a conveyor for "laskar
jihad's" accusations and demands. It therefore reinforced the false story about 'the
Christian separatist movements' which had initiated the conflict in January 19, 1999. It
had illogically linked the January 19, 1999 assault on Christian neighborhoods of
Ambon to the FKM which was established in December, 2000, almost two years
latter. Why would this House of Representatives appeared to be so unintelligent if
there is nothing wrong inside it? It has been in great efforts to legalize the illegal
existence of "laskar jihad" and to authorize the 'prosper stolen property' for the better
future of the rioters and their families. Should there be any doubt about these
comments, just remember that AM. Fatwa had verified them all!
The previous writing had revealed some names from the military and police force who
actively involved in supporting and assisting the movements of "laskar jihad" in
Maluku. Just recently, the Chief of Army Staff , General "Endriartono Sutarto" had put
the security disturbances in Aceh and Maluku as an identical problem. His statement
was seen to mislead the public in the direction of the untruthful story fabricated by
"laskar jihad" about 'Christian separatist movement' in Maluku. The Secretary General
of the Indonesian Council of Ulama (MUI), a top level Organization of Islamic priests,
"Dien Syamsuddin", had also in great efforts to legalize the existence of "laskar
jihad", claiming that there are such "laskar salib" (cross soldiers) or "laskar Kristen"
(Christian soldiers) on Christian side. This untrustworthy leader had deliberately
denied a simple truth that any "laskar Kristen" had never physically existed. It is
actually a spiritual symbol regarding a spiritual battle against the evil spirits. What
appeared to be a "laskar Kristen" in Maluku is just a temporary self-attribute to
Christians who fight to defend their lives and their properties. An illustration of another
kind of tendency in authorizing the existence of "laskar jihad" could be clearly seen
on one of the national television program which identified the international terrorists
attack on WTC twin-towers as a "holy war". Consequently, "laskar jihad" would be
considered as "holy warriors" and from the religion point of view deserves a legitimacy.
This concept had, in fact, misled many decent Moslems to accept "laskar jihad" as
their true defender of faith. These confused Moslems would regard any attempt to
disarm this 'Islamic militia' would be an insult to Islam. Contrastingly, any Islam
Countries like Malaysia would considered such militia groups as criminals and surely
not a representative of true Moslems. Malaysian Government has therefore banned
the Group of Malaysian Mujahidin, while Indonesian Government would love to keep
"laskar jihad" for its special political purposes.
It is clear that the President of Indonesia, "Megawati Soekarnoputri", was fully aware
of Hamzah Haz's biased attitude, but she was unenthusiastic to deal with "laskar
jihad" herself. She just tried to put her long awaited top position on a secure side and
let the law and the people of Maluku and Poso be sacrificed for it. It is undeniably that
Megawati has recognized all the details of the root of conflict in Maluku, but did
nothing accordingly. She realized that she would have to face some challenges from
the House of Representative and Islamic base politicians and parties she owed a
great deal. She knew that army and police officers had taken part in the conflict in
Maluku but she is too tightly bound to his father's dream of the unity of Indonesia
which she believes to be dependent upon the role of the arm forces. She recognized
the wide spread corrupted statements and crooked political games played by some of
her ministers, but she kept herself in silence and let the situation in Maluku became
more complicated. In her first New Year speech, she claimed the restoration of peace
in Poso as a huge success her Government has accomplished while several
Churches are being ruined in the neighboring town of Poso, Palu. She said that her
Government is more than able to deal with domestic matters regarding justice and
human rights, without the interferences of the international communities. The term
'international interference' has been widely used by Government officials to excite the
hollowed pride of the people in which many of their filthy tricks would be securely
covered. There is almost nothing from Megawati that Maluku can hope for.
Looking back at Maluku, one can find a situation identical to that nationally. The
Regional Civil Emergency Situation Authorities (PDSD-Maluku), the Governor, Police
Chief and Army Commander, had requently declared that they have had the situation
under control, but they strongly suggested people not to travel by boat in Ambon bay
due to the repeated assaults that had killed many. What kind of control they really
have, if "laskar jihad" is still capable of attacking and killing people and got away with
it? Instead of searching for those murderers, Governor, "Saleh Latuconsina", aroused
an issue of some gang members who came back to Ambon for Christmas. He
accused them for having an intention to disturb the local ecurity behind their
Christmas visit. This incapable Governor would then claimed that there was nothing
happened because it had been well anticipated. In fact Saleh Latuconsina had just
attracted everybody attention toward something that did not exist, so no one would
question him about finding the assailants and the slaughterers who are still free to do
another series of killings. Since the incident resulted in a total destruction of Christian
village, Waimulang, in southern part of Buru island, the attack on another Christian
village, Ewiri, the bombing of the 'California' boat and the shooting of Christian
speed-boat that took nine lives, no one, and again, no one has ever questioned let
alone brought to justice for these. The PDSD - Maluku has been taking a full measure
in protecting "laskar jihad" since the beginning. One can find the prove by looking at
the "case list" of the local Police or the local Court and see that there is not a single
complete Police investigation process and consequently, not a single case ever been
brought to Court regarding "laskar jihad"! Saleh Latuconsina has been playing the
Jakarta's filthy plan on Maluku ever since the conflict broke out. No wonder, he
remains that long in his position which seems to be forever, while there is nothing
good he had accomplished for Maluku.
The longer the conflict exists, the more complicated the problems would be.
One of which is to distinguish who is actually the indigenous people of Maluku and
who is not. All the way between Jakarta and Ambon, there has never been a single
Government official, Police Chief nor Military Commander who talked about the illegal
occupation over Christian villages by "laskar jihad". There is not a single record of the
PDSD-Maluku, the Governor, Police Chief or Army Commander showing that they
ever tried to deal with the problems of illegal existence of illegal civilian militia who had
illegally build Mosques on Christians' properties and illegally brought their families to
live on that land. The Provincial Legislative Council (DPRD-Maluku) and the Town
Legislative Council (DPRD-Kotamadya Ambon) do not seem to be very enthusiastic in
exercising their rights to deal with the problems regarding the illegal existence of
"laskar jihad". When talking about the Campus of Pattimura University in
Poka-Rumahtiga area there has never been a word from the Rector, "Mus Huliselan",
about "laskar jihad" who had unlawfully resided in the area. How could the campus
ever be rebuild? More importantly, how could peace and harmony be restored and
security reinstated in Maluku with indigenous people of Maluku being refugees in their
own land?
Any organization in any country should possess legal documents containing legal
reasons that justified its existence. The question is, does "laskar jihad" hold any legal
documents stating that they are a lawful organization? What would be the main
grounds for its existence if there are any? Who holds the constitutional rights to do
the evaluation on that reasons and to legalize the existence of "laskar jihad"?
Although they declared that "laskar jihad' is a religion (Islam) based organization, it
should have a state authorization like any other religion base organization. This also
applies even if Indonesia is a religion base country. In fact it is not! If "laskar jihad"
actually own a legal certificate then the followings would the related consequences
one may want to know. Its existence would have to be authorized based on some
religion (Islam) arguments. What argument then, shows that "laskar jihad" has a
license to own firearms? Is there any argument concerning "laskar jihad" being an
armed civilian Moslems defender organization? Is there any justified argument that
makes "laskar jihad" such a national guard organization that responsible for the unity
of the nation? The conclusion would therefore be, even if "laskar jihad" owns a
certificate, it would just be a false certificate that contradicts the national constitution.
It has been brought to light that when it comes to "laskar jihad" then all of the
comments would be on the subject of 'illegal matters'. So, why would the Government
of Indonesia be so tolerant to "laskar jihad"? In general, the answer would be because
the Government of Indonesia is now terrified of a reality that can no longer be hidden
due to a fast and free access to the global information. After being in the dark of
accusation and humiliation for fifty years, the truth has finally comes up that Maluku
had all the rights guaranteed by the international laws to determine itself as an
independent Republic of South Maluku, April 25, 1950. It was the former Republic of
Indonesia, as one state in the United States of Indonesia, that violated the
international laws and the Indonesian Federal Constitution of 1950. The present
Republic of Indonesia have no legitimacy whatsoever to be like it is now! This truth
has really bothered the Government of Indonesia who has absolutely nothing to defend
itself. Therefore, Maluku would have to be destabilized using the old colonialist way,
"divide and conquer". For the the second time now, Maluku has been corrupted by the
Government of Indonesia. The Government of Indonesia is now utilizing the filthy
hands of an illegal civilian militia called "laskar jihad", which employs deserted military
and police personnel, to destroy Maluku. The Government of Indonesia had informally
legalized the infiltration of the illegal "laskar jihad" to Maluku, and had implicitly
supported its deceitful allegation about 'the Christian separatist movement in Maluku'!
With this deceitful allegation, Christians and Moslems were aggravated in a suspicion
toward each other and were set to fight each other. As a result, people of Maluku
would not be strong enough to demand their rights robbed by the Government of
Indonesia in 1950, and to defend their lands robbed by "laskar jihad" just now.
It is now understandable, why "laskar jihad" had never been talked about as far as
Maluku is concerned. Poso, Central Sulawesi does not have such history that
although some fools have tried to place the Republic of South Maluku in Poso, no one
would believe such a lie. It is alright then for the Government of Indonesia to mention
"laskar jihad" when dealing with the conflict in Poso. Lets remember that "laskar
jihad" would always operate on two deceitful basic arguments, which are 'to defend
Moslems' and 'to protect national unity', to cover up their true agenda of 'forcing
Christians to embrace Islam and to compulsorily take over their lands to feed their low
educated and unemployed members and their families. That's why "laskar jihad"
would never present in Aceh but in certain regions where there are considerable
number of Christians and especially where there is a challenge to the central
Government in Jakarta. It can be easily foretold that the next main target of "laskar
jihad" would be "Papua" Formerly called "Irian Barat" (West Irian), this province had
been had been unlawfully occupied by the Republic of Indonesia through a
'manipulated referendum result' in 1962. Papua is now demanding a new referendum
supervised by the UN, and its voice is getting even louder after the murder of Papuan
Presidium Leader, "Theys H. Eluway". Government of Indonesia has started sending
more military troops to Papua while "laskar jihad" established its new post in Sorong,
Papua, little by little sent its rioters and recruited some locally.
On the other hand, to cover its malicious conduct in Aceh, the Government of
Indonesia had betrayed National Ideology of Pancasila, and had broken National
Constitution by authorizing the implementation of "Syariat Islam" (Islamic Laws) in the
province. This misleading political act was upheld by the Vice President of Indonesia,
"Hamzah Haz", saying that the exercise of "Syariat Islam" in Aceh will prove the
effectiveness of the laws to quiet down the rebellion in the province. Some decent
Moslems may be well pleased with Haz's word. They did not realize that Hamzah Haz
was just deceiving them since the Aceh Independent Movement never really cared for
such laws. It was the greed and unjust of the Indonesian Government that they are
fighting against.
In Maluku, the Local Civil Emergency Situation Authority; the Governor, Police Chief
and the Army Coommander, the Legislative Council (DPR), and the Rector of the
Pattimura University, is allied with the central Government. They would never have
words against "laskar jihad" and they do not care about the people of Maluku. All they
have in mind is to please the crooked Central Government of Indonesia, so they would
be able to hold on to their position as long as possible and get as much profits out of
it. Peace and order is still far away from Maluku while the country is ruled by some
form of 'religious based evil force', unless all of the spiritual hypocrites like "laskar
jihad" are totally banned!
JL.
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