The Jakarta Post, 28th Jan. 2001
Govt yet to decide on civil emergency in North Maluku
JAKARTA (JP): Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs Susilo
Bambang Yudhoyono said on Sunday that the government had yet to decide whether
to lift or maintain the state of civil emergency, currently imposed in North Maluku,
despite improvements in the province.
"We will evaluate the imposition of the state of emergency in the province within the
week. If it is considered necessary to continue the state of emergency, there must be
a deadline for it, or gradually the status in some parts of the province could be made
regular," Susilo said as quoted by Antara in Ternate, capital of North Maluku.
He acknowledged that security had improved in North Maluku, but suggested proper
handling for refugees and rehabilitation efforts in the province were needed.
"If it is later decided that the regular status be restored in the province, there must be
certain a mechanism, similar to the one set up in Poso, Central Sulawesi, that
authorizes the governor to make policies, with the support of security personnel," he
said.
Currently, there are 12 battalions of troops deployed in the province, nine of which are
from the Indonesian Military (TNI) and the remaining three from the National Police's
Mobile Brigade (Brimob).
All contents copyright © of The Jakarta Post.
|
