MAKASSAR, South Sulawesi (JP): A team of five legislators
intending to visit Ambon failed to reach the restive capital of
Maluku on Friday due to bad weather.
Bad weather forced the pilot of a Kartika Airlines plane,
identified as Purnomo, to abandon the plan to land in Ambon and
instead return to Makassar.
The team, led by deputy speaker of the House ofRepresentatives
Soetardjo Soerjogoeritno, stayed in Makassar and plan to continue
their journey on Saturday.
Purnomo confirmed that he decided to abort the landing after
realizing that visibility was low due to thick cloud.
The team members were originally scheduled to meet Maluku
Governor Saleh Latuconsina, Pattimura Military Commander Brig.
Gen. Mustopo, Maluku Police chief Brig. Gen. Soenarko Danu Ardian
and head of the local court M. Dalail.
The visit was intended mainly at gathering firsthandinformation
as to why it has taken so long to forge peace and restore order in
the conflict-ridden city and province as a whole. (wan)
