The Jakarta Post, (12/19/2001 7:32:47 PM)
Fresh violence hits Ambon, nine killed
AMBON, Maluku (JP): Gunmen opened fire on the Haturua speedboat in Teluk Ambon
Baguala Bay on Wednesday morning, killing nine passengers and injuring two others.
The incident took place about one week after a group of armed men set off a strong
explosion on board the KM Kalifornia on Teluk Ambon Bay, killing at least 11 people
and injuring 45 others.
Wednesday's incident took place at about 6:20 a.m. local time when the Haturua,
bound for Benteng Port from Galala, was attacked by a group of armed men in waters
between Batu Merah and Rumahtiga, civil emergency spokesman Maj. Marthen
Luther Djariconfirmed later in the day.
The assailants tossed bombs and fired shots at the speedboat, killing nine people
almost instantly. Two others survived the incident but sustained gunshot wounds, an
official at the Navy Hospital said.
The nine casualties have been identified as Roy Yohanes, I. Toha, Ito Verhahen,
Ubertina Reawaruw, Sarah Sampe, Pola Pirsouw, Yongky Sahusiwa, Ms. In
Rumalaiselang and Agustina Wattimena.
The two survivors are Ms. Oya Manuputty and Stephanus H.
Information gathered from witnesses said that the speedboat was being chased by a
group of gunmen on a speeding vessel. The assailants started to toss bombs, but the
speedboat managed to avoid them.
However, the speedboat experience engine trouble not long after and its engine died,
witnesses said.
The assailants reportedly opened fire on the speedboat, but a patrol boat with six
marines on board tried to stop the attack.After being fired upon, the patrol boat sped
off toward shore to call for reinforcements.
However, when the marines returned to the site, the attackers had gone.
The incident triggered fury among Christians in Maluku, who later marched to the
governor's office in Ambon to protest the civil emergency administrator's
incompetence in dealing with armed attackers.
Rev. Broery Hendriks, head of the Maluku Protestant Church (GPM) synod, pacified
the people gathered at the governor's office by leading prayers under the national
red-and-white flag pole and asking them to remain calm.
"Please do not resort to violence. This is not the solution. Let's continue our struggle
in peace," Hendriks said.
The reverend eventually met with Maluku Governor Saleh Latuconsina, along with
several other leading Maluku figures.
Latuconsina failed to make a statement, but later in the evening the governor along
with the Maluku Police chief and the Pattimura Military commander held a
closed-door meeting at the governor's office.
"I believe that the central government has to take care of the situation immediately,
because the civil emergency administrator is helpless in dealing with the situation,"
Hendriks said.
Hendriks also expressed disappointment in the government, which he said seemed to
ignore the problems in Maluku. "It only talks about Papua, Aceh and Poso, but
forgets about Maluku, while people are dying here," he said. (49/edt)
All contents copyright © of The Jakarta Post.
|
