From: "Joshua Latupatti"  
Subject: THE ILLEGAL LASKAR JIHAD AND ITS DECEITFUL PROTECTOR 
Date: Mon, 07 Jan 2002 12:45:20 +0000 

THE ILLEGAL LASKAR JIHAD AND ITS DECEITFUL PROTECTOR
----------------------------------------------------

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.

    Source: geocities.com/waai67