Christian separatists demonstrate: peace in Moluccas threatened
Jakarta (Fides)
Peace in the Moluccas is in danger: tension is rising in Ambon in view of tomorrow’s 25 April celebrations ,when Christian separatists of the Moluccas Sovereign Front will hoist RMS flags throughout the Islands to mark the 52nd anniversary of the founding of the Republic of the Moluccas of the South RMS, not officially recognised. In Galunggung village people, mostly Muslims, say "hoisting the RMS flag means war".
The local authorities and security forces are concerned. Security measures have been reinforced. The army has warned that RMS supporters will be harshly dispersed and it has imposed a 10pm-6am curfew in Ambon. In Jakarta, police chief general Dai Bachtiar said the curfew is legitimate in the situation of emergency in the Moluccas. To show the central government’s attention for the islands, internal Minister Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono sent his secretary to the Moluccas to reassure the people that the measures were taken for their own good and he encouraged them to carry on with normal daily occupations.
Meanwhile there are signs of tension elsewhere in the Islands. On April 23 a man was shot dead on Ceram island. It is not clear whether the murder was connected with the tension of recent days. In Ambon, Christian youth went to police headquarters to protest the arrest of separatist leader Alex Manuputty, on April 17. In November last year Manuputty was sentenced to four months detainment for separatist activities. Manuputty appealed to a higher court which recently confirmed the verdict and gave him six months prison.
Father Cornelius Bohm of Amboina Diocese Crisis Centre says some demonstrators show support for Manuputty as a person, others for his ideas. In a report sent to Fides Father Bohm says that the tension is a sign that Christians are angered by unjust treatment. "When they demonstrate they are repressed, while Muslim provocateurs, the Group of Eleven, for example, who ostensibly oppose the Moluccas Peace Agreement of Malino – are free to praise violence". To prevent disorder, police allowed Manuputty to address the crowds. He declared his innocence and told the people to return home in peace. But the crowds continued to stand in silent protest around the police headquarters until 23 April.
In Ambon, provincial capital of the Moluccas, tension rose after a bomb explosion on April 3, which killed seven Christians and injured 63. After the explosion angry citizens went to torch the offices of the governor Saleh Latuconsina. The governor is accused of not doing enough to ensure respect for the peace agreement signed between Muslims and Christians in Malino (Sulawesi) on February 12 this year. The agreement marked the end of clashes which in two years have taken at least 15,000 lives. (Fides 3/5/2002)
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