JAKARTA (JP): The government will deploy a battalion of
soldiers to Maluku to help maintain security in the restive
province, an official said on Friday.
Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs Susilo
Bambang Yudhoyono said that the deployment of the soldiers from
the Army's Strategic Reserve Command (Kostrad) was aimed at
backing up the local civil authorities.
"Besides the deployment of the Kostrad soldiers, the
government will also send an assistance team to help the local
governor execute his policies in the community," Susilo said.
He explained that a Police Mobile Brigade (Brimob) force would
also be deployed there and would be assisted by a reserve force,
which could be moved any time they were needed.
"However, such deployment will not be effective without
support from all the components of the civil emergency authorities
through effective coordination and cooperation," Susilo said
as quoted by Antara.
Over 20 people have been killed in fresh violence that broke
out despite the historic Malino peace pact, including several
powerful bombs and the burning of the governor's office last
month.
The latest violence came on April 28 when a gang of masked,
well-trained assailants attacked the Christian village of Soya,
near the Maluku capital of Ambon. (hhr)
