RECORD CHRONOLOGY OF VIOLENCE EVENTS IN
AMBON/MALUKU YEAR OF 2001
JANUARY - 2001
Jan. 1 - A booby trap hit a personnel from Brimob (Mobile Brigade Police) I Bogor
when patrols on the border of Suli (Christian Village). One died and the other one
injured.
Jan. 7 - Maluku Drinking Water Company worker and member of a Hallong Village
was attacked, three people have injured.
Jan. 10 - DR.ALEX MANUPUTTY, leader of the Moluccan Sovereignty Front (FKM),
was arrested because of his alleged involvement in a separatist movement. Three
days later he was released from custody, following protests addressed at the Chief of
Police from the Christian side, especially asserting that law enforcement was
discriminative as Laskar Jihad leader Thalib had never been arrested despite
provocative statements that incited violence. T! he investigation of Dr Manuputty
continues despite the end of his detention.
Jan. 11 - The speedboat from Gudang Arang to Galala was shot. Presumably, shot by
the sniper. In this incident, one died, seven people have injured and four have
seriously injured.
A car belong to a Christian with five passenger was shot and hit by throwing rock
when they pass the Galunggung a muslim area, three of them could escape with
injury and two of them was lose. The three passenger are Mr. BUCE NANLOHY (was
shoot), A Priest Ms. NIKIJULUW (seriously injured) and Mrs YOKE NIKIJULUW.
At 18.00 pm, Report that Jihad forces are attacking the Christian Village - Rumoi on
Teor Island (one of the Christian village in East Ceram that have the islamisation). This
attacking has to go on two hours.
Jan. 13 - The remains of two men who have been missing since an alleged attack on
a motorcycl! e in Batumerah were found on Saturday 13 January. One body was found
floating in the water just off Tantui in Ambon Baguala bay, while the other was found
dead at a beach, some three kilometres away from where the first victim was found.
Their bodies reportedly bore wounds from blunt objects.
Jan. 15 - Bomb exploded at Taman Baru inn on Wahai - North Ceram
Jan. 16 - Also another bomb exploded at Wahai's Senior High School, north Ceram
island
Jan. 18 - The speed boat name "Ravi" on the direction Galala - Benteng was shots at.
One of the passenger was shot.
Jan. 19 - Member of Legislative assembly from PPP (United Development Party)a
Muslim's Party fraction DARUL HUSNI TUHEPALI was caught carrying two
assembled bombs.
Shots were fired by gunman in Suli a Christian villa! ge, one injured
Jan. 20 - In Saturday morning, Incident happen between Indonesian Army with the
rioter at Batumerah-Mardika Commercial Homestore, 10 people have injured and four
people were killed. They are RUSLAN, HADI, LANDESI and HASAN CAMERON .
Two dead bodies of them are not found.
Jan. 21 - On Wednesday, about 07:00 AM Local time, a Christian village Alang
Asaude, Sub-district Piru, West Ceram was attacked by the rioter. Three people died
and one have injured. All of the villages escape to the forest and ask to evacuate.
In Ambon, the shooting and bombs explosion occurs at back of the Citra Supermarket
(Middle Mardika) and the Karang Panjang Border and be followed by the rioter
movement. This action forced the Indonesian Army fire a sequence shooting to chase
them away.
At 08:45 a.m Local time. Wahai village (Christian) sub-district North Ceram! was
attacked by the rioter and Jihad forces. The first victims in this incident was Mrs.
WENNO (midwife of the Society Health Center in Wahai). She has deep cut on the
right hand. Until the 02.30 p.m, Wahai village still in conflict. According to the report,
one died and three have seriously injured.
Also, Rumahsokat a christian village was attacked and burned by the rioter. All of the
houses are burned. Until the 02:30 a.m.
Jan. 22 - Yon-Gab (Combined Battalion) intend to fight against the rioter and the brain
behind the Maluku disturbance.
The member of Indonesian Army that involved in the riot of Maluku finally can be
stopped by YonGab (Combined battalion) at Wijaya hotel II on monday morning. The
member of Indonesian Army that arrested are Lieutenant Colonel JATI WARAMAS
SARAGIH and his conspiracy, Major Inf. NURDIN (Staff of Pattimura Military Area),
Police Major Drs. RICKY PAIS, 2nd Lieutenant Police SAIH! UDIN, Sergeant Police
KORIM SUHARNA, 1st Sergeant Police RUSTAM (Ambon dan Lease Police), 2nd
Sergeant Police A (Polwan), BHARADA ASHAR (driver). Also arrested, Vice Police
JENEPONTO, Police Major Drs. ABDI DARMAN SITEPU was arrested because he is
in the location. According to the information, Sitepu just spent the night at this hotel
waiting for the new job as a Head of Mobile Brigade Corps at Maluku Police
Department.
Yon-Gab (The Combined Battalion) also found a numbers of army standard gun and
pistol owned by the Indonesian Army and the Police, ammunition and the military
stuff.
Jan. 24 - At 05:30 a.m Local Time, the predominantly Christian village of Hatualang in
the western part of Seram was attacked by some 500 armed raiders, forcing 1,000
people to flee and hide in the jungle. All of the houses and facility including the
Church and the school in that village were burned. One soldier, 2nd sargeant
YUSMAN ! of infantry Battalion 731 Kabaressi was shot dead. The village was also
attacked in August 2000.
Jan. 29 - A Christian passenger NOVEMBRI TUARISSA was slaughtered and killed
from Lambelu passenger ship, at Yos Sudarso Port of Ambon.
FEBRUARY
Feb. 1 - A shootout between the Marines and Brimob Police in Ambon. One member
of Brimob (Mobile Brigade Police) was killed.
Feb. 16 - The Christians of Halong Village was shots by the rioter. One person died.
Feb. 21 - At 04.00 AM Local time, The Christian Village (Allang Asaude) was
attacked by approximately 500 Jihad Forces with the support of about 20 Indonesian
Army (as seen from their uniform). Therefore, people of Allang Asaude run away to the
forest. Three Christians killed, two people have seriousl! y injured, and tens of the
houses are burned including the Church.
MARCH
March 3 - The stabbing occurs at the Wanna (Muslim Village) - Sub District Leihitu,
Middle Maluku Regency, one of Hitu Villages died. 77 houses was burned and
destroyed.
March 23 - Since 21:30 Local Time, the sequence machine gun shooting for a long
time heard from the Ahuru - Karang Panjang. Based on the information, the point of
shooting is in the border of Halong and Galala (Christian Villages). Beside that the
shooting heard from Ahuru too. Until the 22:40 PM Local time, the shoot was still
heard. Presumably, this incident have connection with Jihad Forces Training on Kota
Jawa Orchard - Rumah Tiga Village on March 19th - 22nd, 2001. This Jihad Forces
training occurs in front of the Indonesian Army Station.
March 25 - A Christian SEMMY TOISUTA, was slaughtered on Christian Village
(Mardika) - Ambon.
APRIL
April 1 - The rioter attack Kase (Christian Village) on Sub District North-West Buru.
The Village secretary D LESNUSSA, reported that in this incident the rioter came
from Nalbessy (Muslim Village). The result of this attacked, 3 Christians dead and
four disappear. One house burned down
The three that have been killed are: JOHN LESNUSSA (53) - Teacher on Elementary
School of Kase Village and his son (EDISSON LESNUSSA (13) and FREDERICK
LESNUSSA (67). And the four disappear are: Mrs THERESIA DIAS LESKONA (37) -
Teacher on Elementary School of Kase Village and her son YONGKI LESKONA (3),
ALFIN LESKONA (5) and YONGKI LESNUSSA (23).
While that, the dead body of Dutch citizen, JAN DW SCHART (67) who died at Liang
(Muslim Village) - Sub District Salahatu, Middle Maluku Regency, suspi! ciously
because the violence by the Military. And until now still in Police Hospital at Perigi
Lima - Ambon.
April 22 - At 5:55 p.m Local Time, A premature explosion of a "bomb", caused the
death of five Laskar Jihads. Two others were seriously injured. Local newspapers
report on a kind of molotov cocktail being assembled at the neighbourhood of muslim
dominated Ahuru at the outskirts of the town of Ambon, when unexpectely it
exploded. Immediate investigation of local military security forces resulted in the
uncovering of a nest of illegal weaponry and ammunition and various chemical stuff,
including a number of military boots and all kinds of other odds. Also were found a
number of religious books on Islam Teaching and on Muslimat Victory, a number of
T-shirts on which was printed "Laskar Mudjahidin". Further were found instruction
books on how to be a "jihad" and an instruction book on how to assemble a bomb. A
military spokesma! n could not confirm whether these Laskar Mudjahidin have
anything to do with the well-known Mudjahidin in other countries.
April 25 - Tension gripped the islands of Ambon following the hoisting of a separatist
flag by the Maluku Sovereignty Front (FKM) earlier in the day. A brief 10-minute
flag-hoisting ceremony took place at the house of FKM leader dr. ALEX MANUPUTTY
in the Kudamati area of Nusaniwe district around 7 a.m. but shortly afterwards the flag
was pulled down by police. The red-white-blue-and-green FKM separatist flag was
hoisted alongside the Indonesian National flag and a United Nations pennant. Earlier
in the morning, a crowd of some 100 FKM followers gathered at Alex's house, singing
songs "Hena MasaWaya" (Mother of Nation) and reading the 1950 declaration of
South Maluku Republic (RMS). JP
April 27 - Muslim Ambon demonstrated against the Moluccan Sovereignty Front (FK
M) that act behalf of South Moluccas Republic. The action participated by about one
hundred people under the YUSUF ELLY leadership. The action begun at the
Batumerah (Muslim Village) and end in Maluku Governor Office and followed by recite
their declaration. At 10:25 a.m Local Time, when the demonstrate want to push in to
the Maluku Governor Office, the army open the continuosly shots that cause strained
situation on the down town.
Before that action, the explosion sound like a bomb, heard at Batumerah Village dan
Silo Church development site. The splinter hit a Christian, ONGEN SAHERTIAN.
Because of the shooting, the demonstran send their delegate to meet the Head of
Civil Emergency Law and give their declaration and aspiration.
April 30 - At least 2 civilian people was died and seven people was burned when the
rioter attack the Waenalut Village on Sub District South Buru, Buru Island. One of the
witness MAX SELEKY! (30) said to the one of people of Buru in Ambon through
Single Side Band (EMPY SAHETAPY) that the rioter attacking his village at 07.30 pm
until 08.00 pm. (Local Time). Two victims was died (JUSUF SOLISA and TETY
SOLISA) at this action and seems like the number of the victims are increase steadly
because the people at the villages are still in their home.
In Ambon, FKM leader Dr. ALEX MANUPUTTY following the order to report to the
Police for interrogation went up to the Police Headquarters at Batumeja, Ambon.
Besides by some close FKM co-activists, he was also accompanied by about a
thousand young sympathisants. It was only on arriving at the Police Headquarters
that Manuputty was handed a letter of detention. The loudly singing crowd found the
fence of the police compound closed to them, but seemed not to care and kept on
cheering of "mena-muria" and singing Moluccan and religious hymns in a disciplined
way.
On that day The Moluccan Protestant Church (GPM) has! delivered a letter, dated
April 30, 2001, to the Governor, demanding that next August 17 (National
Independency Day) the Moluccas be free from unrest.
MAY
May 4 - "California" Passenger ship was shots in Ambon Bay.
May 10 - The Speedboat with direction of Benteng to Alang was shots. One people
are found injured.
May 11 - "California" Passenger ship was shots in Ambon bay. One passenger was
found injured.
May 13 - At 14:30 Local Time, The speed boat from Benteng (Sub district Nusaniwe)
to Galala (Sub district Baguala) was shots in Ambon bay. Three people are died. They
are POLLY MANUPUTTY (60) of Passo Village has bullet wound in his back head,
Mrs. MAGDALENA PIRIS/MANUPUTTY (65) of Suli Village has deep cut in the left
temples because of splinter! and also she has bullet wound in her left shoulder.
ELSOS KAYA (25) has bullet wound in his left waist. Two people have an seriously
injured. They are: ONGEN MANUPUTTY (26) of Passo Village has bullet wound in his
right shoulder and WOLLY MAHUE (33) of Lateri Village has bullet wound in his left
thigh and left arm.
May 14 - The speedboat from Christian's villages Kamarian to Passo was shot around
the Ori village territory water. Two people died.
May 15 - A bomb with its timer was discover in Mangga Dua road intersection.
May 16 - In the early afternoon another speedboat aimed its shooting at Amahusu, a
christian village on the southern peninsula of Ambon, to the west of Ambon town. One
civilian was wounded by a bullet.
A Christian speedboat travelling from Waipia on the island of Ceram to Passo on
Ambon island, while bypassing th! e muslim villages of Liang and Tulehu, was shot at
by people coming from the direction of Tulehu, but there were no victims nor
significant damage.
CORNELIS NAHUSONA and BENNY SALAKA left their village of Kariu (Christian),
island of Haruku, for the woods to pick durian fruit. The following day they were found
having been killed in an atrocious way.
May 17 - Pedicab driver YOHANES BANTU AIRATU, a Catholic from Masohi, island
of Ceram, disappeared mysteriously. His body was found at the shore of Waisia,
about 50 km from Masohi.
May 19 - At 07:55. Waisia's Junior High School II was attacked by the Jihad rioters.
While the students were carry out the final examination.
May 20 - At 9:00 pm Local Time, Jihad troops attacked the christian neighbourhoods
of Mardika, Soa Kecil, Belakang Soya and Karang Panjang, town of Ambon. There
were! numerous salvos of gunfire and the sound of dozens of grenades. About ten to
twenty houses went up in flames. According to "Siwalima" daily at least three
christians were killed and nine badly wounded. Listening to what people tell, probably
the number of victims will turn out to be much higher.
A new method of killing was practised: "Ninja"-like persons knock on doors; after the
door is opened they burst in and stab the residents with bayonets. Attacks on the
Pohon Pule, Diponegoro and Urimessing neighbourhoods were
May 22 - The intruders infiltration action and the stabbing happen again in Gunung
Nona, Benteng. Kill FREDY KERMITE and injured his son, GIEN KERMITE. Until
now, no one know the intruders are.
A bomb was discover in Mangga Dua three-way intersection in front of the Army
Hospital.
May 23 - At 02:00 - 03:00 a.m Local Time, Galala (ChristianVillage) was at! tack and
shots by Muslims. Presumably the shooting came from the rear of Hative Kecil
Village.
At 08:00 a.m Local Time, Allang Village was shots by about eight speed boat. There
are no victims in this incident. But the City of Ambon was became hot again.
At 7:30 pm, The infiltration by ninja's like army intruders (Jihad fighters from Java) and
the stabbing happen again in Kusu-Kusu Village. In this action Mrs ANACE HUWAE
(43) was killed and the other four people was slashed and hit by the splinter.
May 25 - A large gathering of Muslims entered the Christian area, causing panic
among the Christians who set up barricades and went into alert. All humanitarian
agencies assembled in the Mutiara Hotel and contingency plans were aired. The
security forces prevented any escalation by determined policing with tanks and other
armoured vehicles.
Another plea by the Bishop of Amboina, Monseigneur! P.C.Mandagi informed the local
mass media that he has asked through the Vatican for intervention of the
U.N.Security Forces in order to protect innocent civilians. By now it has been
sufficiently proved that the government is not able to protect its citizens and end the
conflict, which now more and more seems to be aimed at ethnic annihilation of
Moluccans, causing harm to christians and muslims alike. Asked about his opinion,
the chairman of the protestant GPM Synod, Minister Dr.I.W.J.Hendriks,
acknowledged that, if further pressure on the Indonesian Government to intensify its
efforts to protect the civilians and end the conflict, would be to no avail, they had no
choice than indeed asking for this kind of intervention.
May 26 - There were occasions when the tension caused the TNI to close the main
road to the airport, leaving only the sea option as an access to the airport. The road to
the airport was closed more than open in! the past week. There were 2 separate
attacks on Brimob (Mobile brigade police) and TNI on the airport road, which left a
police officer wounded.
At 11:45 p.m. Attacks were launched on security forces, allegedly by terrorists, at
several bordering sites of christian and muslim neighbourhoods, among others near
the Amans Hotel (Mardika), at Tanah Lapang Kecil, Ahuru and Galala/Hative Kecil.
The attackers used grenades, molotov cocktails and heavy gunfire. "Siwalima" daily
supposes that the attackers were angered because the sentinels obstructed their
intended invasion in opposite quarters, so they redirected their attacks on the security
posts straight away. The mutual firing - with some interruptions - went on up to 5.30
a.m. the following morning. At about 2.30 a.m. there was a remarkable impulse when
a number of mosques in the town sounded their "taqbir akbar". Some sources put the
number of terrorists killed at more that a dozen, whereas those wounded number
several! dozens, all of whom are now being hospitalized in the muslim medical centre
of Al-Fatah and the Laskar Jihad polyclinic of Kebun Cengkih.
When intruders are caught they are summarily killed either by shooting or by less
conventional methods. Three soldiers on their way to their office in Benteng a
Christian area were stopped and questioned by Christians. The fact that the soldiers
were in mixed civilian-military attire did not help them convince their assailants of their
situation and they were killed and two of the bodies burnt - these were later displayed
on national television.
It happened yesterday morning at about 10.00 am in the christian neighbourhood of
OSM (between Batugantung and Gudang Arang). Three males in terrorist-like clothing
and behaving in a suspicious way, were murdered by a mass of people. Only
afterwards it was known that they were intelligence military sergeants underway to
their quarters at Tapal Kuda, Airsalobar. Their names: DJOKO, HA! RIYANTO and
TUAHUNS.
May 27 - At 00:15 a.m Local Time. A sequence shots from fire gun or Armored
Vehicle heard again on the border line between Christian Village (Mardika), Moslem
Village (Batu Merah) and Karang Panjang (Christian Village).
Terrorist intruded in the christian neighbourhood of Batugajah. However, before he
could do any harm, he was lynched by the masses. On his body various kinds of
military lethal devices and other military items (like standard knapsack and belt) were
found.
Its happen after an explosion that indicated came from a very huge explosive bomb
around Sari Farma Drugs Store in Mardika.
That sequence of shots makes the citizen got up and saving themselves. Until 01.00
am Local Time, the sequence of shots still heard and the people worried that the rioter
would attack again.
At least 2 civilian people was wounded after the clash in Mardika, Batu Merah, Karang
Panjang, Diponeg! oro and Talake. Ambon. Antara news agency reported that those
two wounded civils are back to their home in Batu merah (Moslem Village) and
Galunggung (Moslem Village) after medication. The record is from Al Fatah Hospital in
Ambon.
One of the paramedic says that they do not know the victim identity and all they know
is a 1.8 months child was wound on his leg and the other man with seriously injured.
May 30 - Late afternoon while the rain was pouring down, there was another attack by
a Batumerah muslim group towards the bordering christian neighbourhood of Mardika.
One male christian was wounded. The YonGab (Combined Battalion) 521/Brawijaya
fended off the attackers, whereupon the assaulters directed their gunfire on these
security forces, however without causing casualties. Siwalima newspaper quoting
Antara News Agency reports that of the muslim group two persons were killed,
namely ALI (34) and LA USMAN (20); three were wo! unded.
JUNE
June 2 - In the early morning an earsplitting explosion was heard coming from a
Muslim's house in Talake (Tanah Lapang Kecil), Ambon. One of the grenades that are
manufactured there had exploded, killing a jihad warrior ROMLI (34) and injuring two
others.
June 12 - At 4.00 a.m in the early morning , an uncounted number of jihad terrorists
penetrated the Diocesan Conference Centre "Gonzalo Veloso" compound in Karang
Panjang, not far from Ahuru. The refugees that are staying in the complex and also
those in the nearby longsheds and other buildings could flee to safety in time. The 14
policemen who night and day should watch over the complex, were taken by surprise.
The damage to the various buildings and units and a nuns' convent was restricted to a
number of broken windowpanes, burned curtains and furniture and partly burning of !
the chapel. The nearby magnificent Latumahina mansion, however, and four other
houses were totally burned down. Three christians STEVY LIKUMAHUA, NO
LIKUMAHUA and DAVE SEUPATISEUN (The head of Indonesian Christians Student)
were stabbed to death when the intruders sneaked into their houses.
Mrs. LIKUMAHUA, who saw her husband NO LIKUMAHUA and STEVY LIKUMAHUA
29 years old son killed, could hide with two grandchildren in the bathroom; thus they
were saved though most of the house itself was destroyed by fire. Two christians were
seriously wounded. Of the assailants four were cornered and consequently killed; after
that their bodies were burned. There may have been more casualties among them. On
their black T-shirts could be read the words "Laskar Jihad Ahlus Sunnah Wal
Jamaah". They had military outfit. The local jihad SPMM radio justified this action by
saying that it was an answer to offensive statements by the bishop of Amboina, Msgr.
P.C. Mandagi. In the early a! fternoon there was again dreadful shooting in the nearby
quarters of Kopertis and Renjani.
June 13 - At 15:30 Local Time, The speed boat owned by the Christian people has
been chased and shots by the Moslem speed boat. Consequently, several
passengers on the "Teratai 04" speedboat having sustained a bullet wound. While that
the "California" Passenger Ship moored at Halong pier (Navy Pier). Mean while both
Teratai 04 and Elkosa speedboat moored at Galala. As soon as possible the victims
were evacuate to The Navy Hospital in Lanal Halong. Registered that two people was
died.
At 17.45 Local Time, Armed contact occurs again between the rioter and the Mariner
Corps on the borders line at Upper Halong (Christian Village). The conflict was start
when the rioters want to try to attack the Christian Village at Upper Halong.
June 14 - At 12:29 Local Time, A motorcycle ! driven by Mr DEGEN KALAY (25) from
Passo Village and Mrs LINDA MARANTIKA (31) from Kudamati Village was intercept
by Muslims rioter when they pass the Philip Latumahina Street. They hit Mrs
Marantika with an iron pipe on her left shoulder and bruised her.
At 03:30 a.m Local Time, Ahuru (Christian area) was attacked again by Jihad troops,
the guns battle occurs between the Jihad's and the 408 battalion who have the duty of
guardian that area.
At 09:45 a.m Local Time, Two trucks of Brimob (Mobile Brigade Police) arrive at the
location and together with the 408 battalion pacified the location and try to chased
away the rioter. They were shots by the Jihad Forces rioter and finally a clash occurs
between them.
At 11:13 a.m Local Time, The Combined Battalion (Yon-Gab) take over the command
for tracking and attack the rioter on their headquarters. At 13:10, Two more trucks of
Yon-Gab arrives at the location. At 14:00 Local Time, The situation on Ahuru in u!
nder Combined Battalion (Yon-Gab) control. At 15:25 Local Time, a personnel of
YonGab executed the sweeping from Kebun Cengkeh (Moslem Village) to the place of
evidence.
At 15:30 Local Time, A public car route to Gudang Arang was bombed by Jihad forces
in front of the Army hospital. The bomb was throw inside the christians public
transportation cars while being blocked by passing muslims car. Ten Christians
passenger have seriously injured.
In conflict area, armed contact still happen until 6:00 p.m. Mean while, four member of
Pattimura Military District Area was captured by the Indonesia Army when they shots
the Christian speed boat.
June 19 - Today part of the Catholic "Christus Salvator Mundi" church at Waiheru,
between Poka and Passo on the northern shore of the Bay of Ambon, was burned
down. The church lies within a military compound. Since last year, however, Waiheru
has been left by its small Catho! lic community, which has no intention to resettle
there in future.
June 21 - Wayame housing project was attack and destroy. One christian named
FEN HARINDA was slaughtered and has serious injured.
June 25 - At about 10:00 am in the christian neighbourhood of OSM (between
Batugantung and Gudang Arang). Three males in terrorist-like clothing and behaving in
a suspicious way, were murdered by a mass of people. Only afterwards it was known
that they were intelligence military sergeants underway to their quarters at Tapal
Kuda, Airsalobar. Their names: DJOKO, HARIYANTO and TUAHUNS.
Consul General of the USA Mr. ROBERT A. POLLARD, stationed at Surabaya, East
Java, arrived at Ambon for a visit of several days. It was his third visit to the Moluccas
since the unrest started. His main purpose was to find out for himself what in fact has
been happening in Ambon during these last few mon! ths, for news messages are very
divers and confusing, especially concerning the events since June 12. The Consul and
his three member staff meanwhile had meetings with the principal government,
military and police authorities and with the religious leaders of both sides.
June 26 - During the meeting with the Vice Police Chief Commander, Drs. TOMMY
JACOBS and other police officials the consul said that there is a dialogue underway
with police authorities both in Jakarta and in Surabaya for a police training programme
in coping with masses which - if agreed to - would be supported by the Federal
Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the New York Police Department (NYPD). This
programme is meant to enhance professionalism in handling civil unrest. In this
meeting Mr. Pollard was accompanied by two of his staff members specializing on
police and on political affairs. It was also stressed that the USA has no intention at all
to intervene ! in the conflict in the Moluccas, except in the fields of reconciliation
efforts and humanitarian aid.
JULY
July 9 - Three sailors from Suli village (christian) was shots by the sniper at Seriawan
water territory. Two people were died and one has serious injured. Suspiciously the
sniper was used the speedboat owned by government transmigration office.
July 11- One dead body was found at Amahusu beach Sub district Nusaniwe.
Presumably the victims was murdered and be shots on his left stomach and have a
deep cut on the left neck before throw in to the water
July 12 - Orchard Wailawa on Tawiri (Christian Village) was attack by the rioter but
the action can be paralyzed by the unit of Special Air Force in that area.
A wild shooting occurs again on the Upper Galala (Christian Village). This action goes
on for 10 minute.
July 17 - British Parliament were shot at by rioters as they were cruising Pelauw,
Haruku island along the Haruku-Ambon strait on their way to Masohi, capital of Seram
island. The incident occurred last Tuesday (17/7) at about 11:00. NOIJA is asking the
Governor of Maluku to immediately carry out
July 19 - On Thursday (19/7) at about 16:00, RAYMON HURSEPUNY from Suli village
was found dead in a forest at the Suli-Tulehu border. Many people presume that the
victim was killed to trigger the anger of people in Suli. However, the incident failed to
draw anger from people in Suli.
July 26 - In the morning of July 26 speedboat "Teratai III" on its route from the
christian site of Gudang Arang in the western part of the city of Ambon to Halong,
east of Ambon, was shot at from another speedboat that initially pretended to have
engine failure, seriously injuring two female passengers.
July 28 - Motorboat "Anda II" on its routine trip from Galala to Gudang Arang was
unexpectedly shot at from the southern shore (Kapaha) and from the northern shore
(Rumahtiga). A christian female passenger was wounded. It is amazing that on this
very restricted sea area the security forces show themselves hardly able to catch an
attacking speedboat.
AUGUST
August 1 - According to sources, one of the seven Afghanistan fighters was sighted
by soldiers guarding Diponegoro, joining the Jihad fighters who set up a post in the
area. This caused restlessness of residents nearby, because the Jihads were always
trying to trigger incidents by throwing stones at people, and explode homemade
bombs in the area. Residents hoped that this post could be shut down, as actions
from the fighters could prolong the conflict.
August 3 - The Christian village of Alang Asaude lies on the west coast of the large
island of Ceram. Having already endured attacks on 2 August 2000, on 24 January
2001 and 21 February 2001, it was attacked again on August 3, 2001 by about 250
Laskar Mudjahidin. In this assault a soldier from battalion 731/Kabaresi, Second Pvt.
EMMANUEL HULUK and civilian J. MUSKITA was killed. When withdrawing, the
attackers took three soldiers, namely JAINUDIN, HUSNI HAMID and HADJAT, as
hostages with them. The security forces meanwhile had succeeded in capturing 35
mudjahidin fighters. Following information by local people the three captured soldiers
could at last be located in the hills not far from Alang Asaude; they were found with
their hands tied. The commander of the Army 731 battalion, Widodo, then went up to
the Laskar Mudjahidin commandant, ARIS ARIANTO, at his headquarters in the
village of Hitu (Muslim) on! the north coast of the island of Ambon. After much
bargaining at last both parties agreed to exchange the three soldiers for the 35
mudjahidin captives. Meanwhile chief military commander MUSTOPO declared to the
press that apparently no Moluccans were involved in the attack. He also stressed that
- if the Mudjahidin had not shot Imanuel Haluk - many soldiers might have been killed.
For Immanuel then was on his way from an outpost to the principal post; it was 3 a.m.
then. However the soldiers awakened upon hearing distant shooting.
August 15 - A suspected bomb blast killed three people Wednesday. The explosion
occurred at 8:00 am (0200 GMT) near the Slamet Riady port in Ambon City and killed
two motorcycle riders and a woman named SAISIEM travelling in one of two passing
minibuses, the state news agency said. Six other minibus passengers were injured.
August 17 - The 56th annual celebration in Ambon of the Indonesia Independence
Day, August 17, took place with due ceremonies and joyful festivities. However, in the
afternoon there was a sudden shooting with standard rifles from the northern shore of
the bay aimed at a nearby floating post of navy security forces. One of the marines
was injured. The firing was answered by the marines, though initially shooting in the
air. Security forces from the Air Forces unit battalion approached the shooters over
land in order to carry out sweeping on weaponry, whereupon mutual shooting erupted,
in which one of these soldiers was wounded by a bullet as well.
August 23 - The Executive Secretary for International Relations of the World Council
of Churches, Mr. CLEMENT JOHN, visited Ambon. Among others he visited the vice
Governor for Political Affairs, Drs. S. AKYUWEN, the Synod of the Moluccas
Protestant Church and the Bishop of Amboina, Msgr. P.C.MANDAGI MSC. The vice
Governor on this occasion fulheartedly endorsed the plan of the World Council to send
an interreligious team - consisting of christans and muslims - to the Moluccas to
foster peace efforts between the two parties.
Mr. CHRIS SAHETAPY, member of the Provincial House of Representatives at
Ambon, yesterday voiced the feelings of many citizens by expressing his conviction
that nowadays terrorist forces are more powerful than national security forces. The
nation has not the means to guarantee proper law enforcement any more. This may
be apparent by events such as the humiliating bargaining to release the three military
hostages between the commander of the 731 battalion, WIDODO, and the Laskar
Mudjahidin commander, ARIS ARIANTO in which the three captured soldiers at last
were exchanged for 35 mudjahidin captives. Also the easy inflow of foreign
Mudjahidins and weaponry - sometimes by simple brutalizing security servicemen like
happened with the seven Afghanistan Mudjahidin fighters on July 17 proves the
inability of the Indonesian government to properly protect its citizens. International
political intervention is urgently needed to restore law and order, an! d to protect the
common people against destructive forces.
August 27 - At about 10:15 a.m. Local Time, a bomb exploded in a small restaurant
at Manggadua, killing JENNY SOULISA and MUSSA BAKSERAN also wounding
sixteen, three of whom seriously. The location is in a christian neighbourhood, but
close to one of the sites where muslims and christians spontaneously intermingle,
specifically the hundreds of students of the Universitas Pattimura.
August 30 - In Village of Waisarissa, West Ceram, concerning members of the
Moluccan Council Village Kings, prominent elders, and experts of Moluccan
customary law and invited guests, including two reporters who had been savagely
beaten up by members of the Indonesian military. These human right abuses were
committed under their field commander, lieutenant B. HUTAURUK in coordination with
Kairatu's Chief of Police, Y.SAIYA. A gathering to witness c.q. to report on a special
adat happening, called "The Three Brooks" an old customary laws a.k.a. Lembaga
Adat Maluku or Alifuru Saniri Tiga Batang Air. A traditional Moluccan gathering in
order to keep people's morals high, a tradition that has been practiced for thousands
of years and at this time will be used to pave the way for a genuine reconciliation
between Moluccan Muslims and Christians without interference from the Indonesian
government an! d their vigilante Jihad forces. However they were thought to have come
in order to promote the FKM i.e. the South Moluccas Independence Movement, led by
Alex Manuputty. The adat celebration gathering in Waisarissa was cancelled.
In the early morning of August 30 a minibus on its way from the muslim village of
Tulehu to the muslim village of Liang in the eastern part of the island of Ambon, while
passing the destroyed and desolate village of Waai, was shot at from close by. Five
passengers were injured, one of whom so seriously that he died not long after.
At about 5:30 p.m. speedboat "Krista" on its way from Benteng, Ambon town, to
Hative Besar on the opposite side of the bay, with christian passengers aboard, was
shot at by a speedboat that came from the muslim enclave of Pohon Mangga, at the
western end of the town of Ambon. There were no casualties. Up to early this morning
at various locations in the town of Ambon spread shooting was heard.
August 31 - At about 7.00 a.m.Local Time, speedboat "Ina Risa" 3 left the village of
Passo on the island of Ambon, bound for the village of Kamariang, not far from
Kairatu, on the south coast of the island of Ceram. Passing the tiny island of Pombo,
lying off the destroyed village of Waai, this speedboat, while having engine failure, was
shot at by four other speedboats. A accompanying Brimob police officer, named
DEWA, answered the shooting by firing at the assailants. Meanwhile they had
succeeded in getting the outboard engine running again. When a bullet struck the
helmsman at his abdomen, a protestant minister took over the rudder and - with five
other passengers injured - took the vessel to safety at last at Kairatu. The helmsman
succumbed in the hospital early this morning. On the four attacking speedboats at
least five people are reported to have been killed: besides three civilians, killed were a!
lso a stray member of the 733 Infantery Battalion on his way to Masohi in order to get
married, and a Brimob policeman. Four others were wounded. That makes an overall
total of six killed and nine wounded. This sad event is from muslim side reported upon
as having been initiated by shooting activity aimed at one of their speedboats when on
its route from the village of Morela, island Ambon, to the town of Masohi, south
Ceram. It is reported that the island of Pombo now has immediately been occupied by
muslim jihad forces.
SEPTEMBER
Sept. 6 - REPORT: The sectarian conflict in Maluku which broke out in January 1999
has claimed about 9,000 lives, according to Pokja Maluku, a volunteer group aiding in
the effort to end the civil strife.
Sept. 8 - After weeks of tense calm here, a fatal incident, involving members of the
Armed VIII unit of the Army Strategic Reserves Command (Kostrad), resulted in the
deaths of three soldiers on Saturday, one of the victims being the attackerwho
committed suicide after his unexplained violent behavior. It was reported that the
shooting occurred at around
12:15 p.m. local time Saturday, when Pvt. Sunarto suddenly opened fire and killed
two soldiers; his commander Second Lt. (Inf) SUGIYONO and Chief Sgt. NURKALIM.
Sept. 24 - A bomb exploded at 1:00 p.m. local time in front of Pattimura University on
Jl. Dr. Latumeten in Ambon, the capital of Maluku province, killing one person and
injuring four others.
Sept. 29 - Saturday, 5:00 p.m Local Time, Two killed by sniper gunmen, DEMIANUS
NAMPASNEA (27) and PETRUS NAMPASNEA (35), from Hatu village in Air Sakula
near the airport, Ambon after working with family on cloves plantation
OCTOBER
Oct. 9 - A homemade bomb exploded on the yard of the Maranatha Chuch, Ambon by
two unindentified motor cyclist around noon 15:10 Local Time, There were no
casualties.
Oct. 19 - The trial of dr. ALEX MANUPUTTY who heads the Front for a Sovereign
Maluku, or FKM, is charged with violating rules of the civil emergency authority by
flying the flag of the separatist South Maluku Republic on April the 25th. which
opened on Friday told reporters as he left the Ambon District Court , without seeking
the judge's permission, that his personal security could not be guaranteed.
NOVEMBER
Nov. 1 - Thursday at 4:00 am. Local Time, Hundreds of people attacked the
predominantly Christian village of Waimulang on Buru Island, killing three and burned
down almost all 350 houses in the village. The attack, launched from land and sea
(using at least 14 vessels) in the early morning, forced some 1,000 villagers to flee
into the nearby jungle. The attackers were reported to have stayed put and occupied
the village. There are already around 4,000 IDPs in the camps in the mountainous
terrain nearby.
Nov. 5 - At about 11.30 a.m. Local Time, four passenger cars with christians on their
way from Galala to Ambon, passing through the muslim neighbourhood of Galunggung
/ Batumerah, were hampered by masses, thrown at with stones and shot at. In this
incident Mrs. VONNY SANDRA (30) was shot in her hip. The cars had minor damage
such as broken windows and their bodies bullet-pierced.
Nov. 9 - Dr. ALEX MANUPUTTY at last was sentenced to 4 months detainment. On
learning this decision, Manuputty said he was grateful to the Lord that he was worthy
to be sentenced on behalf of defending the truth. However, he immediately also
appealed to a higher court. The prosecutor, too, is pondering whether to appeal to a
higher court, since the sentence is considered to be too light.
At about 8:30 p.m. Local Time, on November 9 a loud explosion was heard in the
neighbourhood of Tanahtinggi, not far from Mardika, Ambon city. Reconstruction of
what happened tells that two men on a motorbike came down the wide road that leads
from the police station near the A.J.Patty Street either to Tanahtinggi or to Mardika. In
the pitch-darkness (the electricity being cut off) coming near the Maranatha Church,
which is the principal church building of the Moluccan Protestant Church, it was only
at the very last moment that they found the road barricaded, so they had to make a
sharp turn in front of the Kodim 1504 military headquarters, in which the heavy bomb
they were carrying exploded, tearing their bodies to pieces. "Siwalima" daily reports
that shreds of human flesh could be found up to a distance of 60 meters. The
immediately gathering masses of christians had ample time to walk around the site,
for it was only at 10.10 p.m. that a p! olice line was placed. Further was noticed that
the victims wore military jackets; on one of the bodies also a purse was found with the
inscription "TNI-AD" (Indonesian Army Infantery). The remains of both victims have
been taken to the city police headquarters at Perigilima for investigation.
Nov. 12 - At about 11:00 a.m. Local Time, a package was deposited at an electronics
shop on the Said Perintah street, town-centre of Ambon. Not long afterwards it
exploded, killing the Chinese christian shop owner, Mrs. PAULINA SHONG LING (55)
and her son ROBBY THEBEZ (29), and injuring 19 others, some of whom seriously
(one of them had a leg amputated).
Nov. 13 - At 6:30 a.m. Local Time, gunmen opened fire at a passing speedboat in the
waters off Ambon Baguala bay just off the Poka-Rumah Tiga coast early on Tuesday,
killing three people and injuring five out of 10 passengers on board, reports said. The
three fatalities, identified as NIKO PELMELAY, YACOB LATUPAPUA and BENNY
TUHUSULA, died en route to hospital due to severe gunshot wounds. Two of the five
injured were identified as Mrs. AGUSTINA LAWALATA (42), and her daughter
NATALIA LAWALATA (20). Both suffered serious injuries to the head and back.
Nov. 14 - The body of a male resident of Wailela (near Rumahtiga, on the opposite
side of the bay of Ambon) was found in his own field of crops. He was killed by a
bullet.
Nov. 15 - A corpse was found near the bridge of the christian neighbourhood of
Mardika. The victim was identified to be LA HADI (43). He must have been dead for
about four hours. He had apparently been severly hit on the head and stabbed at
several parts of his body.
Nov. 16 - TOTAL NUMBER OF CASUALTIES - Psychologist Drs. Ichsan Malik from
the Universitas Indonesia, Jakarta, while presenting his discourse "peace journalism"
on occasion of a meeting for journalist practice in Ambon, claims to have the correct
numbers of people killed by violent acts during the conflict in the Moluccas and North
Moluccas since January 1999, i.e.: South-East Moluccas (Tual): 434 casualties; rest
of the Moluccas: 9.753 casualties; North Moluccas: 3.241 casualties. Thus the total
number of those killed in the conflict is 13.428.
Nov. 20 - From 20-22 November Christians in Ambon, began THREE DAYS MASS
PRAYERS on Tuesday, paralyzing almost all activities from administrative, schooling
to public transportation both on land and sea. The mass prayers, called Hari
Perkabungan (Days of Mourning), are an statement of growing concern in response to
a series of violence which resulted in at least 10 deaths and the injury of dozens this
month.
Nov. 24 - Four people were injured by an accidental bomb explosion in the Muslim
sector of Batu Merah, Ambon.
Nov. 27 - Heavy gunfire, believed to be from the military, was heard in the Kebun
Cengkeh area in Ambon on Tuesday (27 Nov.) night. No further details are available.
Nov. 30 - Three people were shot dead in Kulur, a Muslim village on Saparua Island.
Two people were shot in Manari village on Haruku Island. Some of the attackers were
said to be wearing TNI uniforms.
There are rumours that about 150 Laskar Jihad fighters were scheduled to land in
Wamala village and attack Leksula town, South Buru sub-district. Women and
children have moved to safer grounds in the mountains and to Ambon. The TNI has
deployed an additional 60 personnel to Leksula.
DECEMBER - 2001
Dec. 4 - A resident of the village of Aboru, island of Haruku, named NELES
TETERISSA, was killed in the woods near the hamlet of Nanave. The victim had been
riddled by bullets from a standard rifle. A woman,
MARTHA SINAI-SAIJA, who witnessed the murder, was consequently killed as well.
The slaughter was reported to have been executed by six mysterious men.
Dec. 7 - At 07:30 a.m Local Time, After Waimulang village, its Ewiri village another
christian village in Buru Island turn being attack from the sea shore by around 800
gunmen with standard heavy guns use by the army, 2 killed YEHI SELSILI (76) and
LORINA LESNUSA (49) and three other wounded.
Dec. 11 - At 9:15 a.m. Local Time, at least 7 people were killed and 42 others were
seriously injured in a strong explosion onboard the "CALIFORNIA" which was in
Ambon Bay sailing to Galala ferry port from Gudangarang near the provincial capital
city of Ambon on Tuesday. Four of dead victims were identified as Mrs. HESTI
MAILOA, NOCE LIMAHELU, HILDO MASPAITELLA and MARIA PARINUSA while
three others, including the body of a Marine Corps soldier whose name was not
released.
The explosion incited thousands of Christians to storm the city's streets, pelting
stones at the governor's office and burning down the city legislative council building
(DPRD) during their protest against the local authorities' inaction to restore security
and order in the prolonged sectarian conflict.
Dec. 19 - The attack by gunmen on the christian speedboat "Haturua" in the early
morning killing nine of the eleven people on board, may have been carried out by
marine servicemen. Based on the information provided by Stefanus Agustinus (15),
the only passenger that came off unharmed, and by an alert policeman, investigation
is being carried out by the regional police (Police of Ambon and the Lease Islands).
On this same fatal December 19, at about 6.30 a.m., a bomb exploded at the border
of Galala-Tantui, just east of the city of Ambon, were christians and muslims usually
exchange merchandise. One civilian was killed; his remnants were thus that he could
not be recognised, neither could be ascertained whether he was either a christian or a
muslim.
Dec. 21 - National Police Chief (Kapolri) Gen. Da'i Bachtiar paid a two hours' visit to
Ambon yesterday. While he was having a meeting at the Police Headquarters in
Ambon, there was a sudden burst of gunfire outside, causing people in the street to
flee to safety. Even some of the officers inside panicked. This shooting (in the air)
turned out to be an emotial statement of a number of Brimob policemen who were not
granted promotion whereas a number of their comrades were promoted to a higher
rank.
Dec. 27 - At 10.15 a.m Local Time, At least three people were hurt in a shootout
between Indonesian police, soldiers and marines in the city of Ambon, including
Police officer chief vice command TUKIJAN, residents and a navy officer said
Thursday. The incident began when soldiers from an army battalion in the Christian
area of Galala fired shots at the Muslim-dominated Tantui area, residents said.
A policeman NURDIN ANTHONI injured while guard in area between Suli and Tial
Villages step on mine field that morning evacuated to Lanal hospital Ambon.
A high ranking police officer HARIYANTO with his driver, officer HERRY DARMANTA
being shot while passing Nania village, Baguala district, they are in Bakhti Rahayu
hospital.
At 14:30 Local Time, Another attacked on Christian speedboat "Anugerah" from
Benteng to Lateri, killed one crew ABNER RIRY and injured HERMANUS SITANIA, by
3 Brimob (Mobile Brigade Police) personnel in a boat near Halong in Ambon Bay. All
3 Brimob policemen escaped and are reported missing.
Dec. 29 - At 11:15 a.m Local Time, Loud bomb explosion from a mini bus owned by
city of Ambon government office, park next to the city hall bldg. The explosion creates
panic among government worker and serounding area, and run for shelter under the
pouring rain. There's no casualty but created tension between two factions.
-----
Sources: AFP/AP/JP/Antara/CCDA/Masariku.
NB. The Violence is NOT over yet !
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