South China Morning Post, Monday, January 14, 2002
INDONESIA
Warriors on alert in 'last bastion of Christianity'
CHRIS MCCALL in Manado, North Sulawesi
Legium Christum has a commander who cannot be killed. His name is Jesus Christ.
In the mountains of Indonesia's remote region of Minahasa, such Christian militias are
preparing for war. The tip of Sulawesi's northern peninsula may be the last hold-out
against those who wish to create a fundamentalist Islamic Republic of Indonesia.
"For peace we must be ready for war," said Elly Lasut, 32, general co-ordinator of
Legium Christum, generally known as "LC".
"The entire membership of LC hopes there will not be violence here, because where
else are the people of North Sulawesi going to run if something like in Ambon
happens here? We very much hope violence does not occur here. But if violence
comes and Laskar Jihad still force themselves on North Sulawesi to make trouble, LC
is ready to face them even if it costs our lives."
Tough talk from a doctor who spends his working life saving lives.
Not so long ago Manado was just a sleepy port and a mecca for divers and other
sun-seeking tourists. But when fighting between Christians and Muslims erupted in
the Maluku island of Halmahera in 1999, just to the east, Manado became a staging
post for the Christian side. Christian refugees swarmed in.
Many have stayed, safe in a Christian-dominated region. Supplies are shipped from
Manado to Christians still in Halmahera.
But Manado is also a transit point to Sangir, an island half-way to troubled Mindanao
in the southern Philippines. Sangir is rumoured to have become a weapon-smuggling
centre. Laskar Jihad admit they keep a close watch on Manado. Christian leaders are
convinced "jihad forces" are already lying low in the town.
Founded by Catholics in late 2000 in response to a perceived threat from Laskar
Jihad, LC now has "bases" right across North Sulawesi, normally with 12 to 25
members under a single local commander. Its structure is reminiscent of the cell
structure used by East Timor's resistance, with one important difference: it is not
secret. LC is keen to be seen, to deter any would-be attackers. Now its membership
is open to Protestants as well.
"We see that in the cases of Ambon and Ternate, the Christians were not ready. We
are one family," said Lucky Senduk, 29, co-ordinator of LC's secretariat. "At first
people were scared of us because of our black uniforms, but many joined after they
saw what our mission was."
Phone links are limited in North Sulawesi, so LC wants to set up radio and satellite
communications. If Manado is attacked, 1,000 members will descend to defend the
town within an hour, its leaders say. Its entire membership can be mobilised within
four hours.
"What is important is that most of the people in the community know how to make
weapons," Dr Lasut said.
Its main constraint is money, LC leaders say, in contrast to the well-funded Laskar
Jihad. A further 18,000 would join its existing 5,800 members, they say, if only LC
had cash for uniforms.
LC members see themselves as missionaries, recruiting youths who have just come
out of jail.
There are contacts with church leaders in troubled Poso in Central Sulawesi and ties
are being sought with Tana Toraja, the Christian-dominated highlands of South
Sulawesi.
"We don't close our eyes to the political situation that has developed," said Catholic
priest Marianus Toiyo, 37, LC's spiritual adviser. "We are going to make war only to
defend ourselves."
Received via email from: MM @ Ambon@yahoogroups.com
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