Annastashya Emmanuelle, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Ambon and Jakarta based non-governmental organizations
representing groups in restive Maluku, opposed the Indonesian
Military's plan to stage war games in the area for fear of
creating wider conflict.
The lack of coordination between security personnel and the
governor, as well as the frequent clashes between police and the
military, has resulted in widespread distrust among the people.
In addition, the police and military's involvement in the
conflict, by taking sides with the warring factions, has left
security personnel partial, giving the impression that they are
not there to protect the public.
"I don't think a greater military presence in the province
will help achieve or restore the situation, especially if they are
merely there to change the conflict area to a training
field," Sven Loupatty, chief of Hualopu Maluku Foundation
told The Jakarta Post on the sidelines of the seminar
called Resolution and Reconstruction of the Social Conflict in
Ambon on Wednesday.
The conflict in the area has become even more complicated than
when the conflict first erupted in 1999, he said, thus those who
are without sincere intentions to help the people and solve the
conflict should not enter Ambon because their presence there would
worsen the conflict.
The Army Strategic Reserves Command (Kostrad) Commander, Lt.
Gen. Ryamizard Ryacudu who was in Ambon, disclosed to the media on
Tuesday the military would hold joint exercises that would involve
combat troops from the Army, Navy and Air Force in efforts to help
restore security and order.
Ryamizard also warned security personnel about maintaining
their neutrality and loyalty to their institution and the state in
carrying out their mission in the conflict area. He suggested that
soldiers loyal to their home of origin and religion leave the
military service.
Sarlito Wirawan Sarwono, dean of the school of psychology of
the University of Indonesia, who has run a crisis center in the
area, said that an alternative solution to conflict was to find
the provocateurs behind the prolonged conflict.
He also suggested the central government and the provincial
administration should enhance coordination in enforcing the law.
Ichsan Malik, a member of the team promoting peace among the
conflicting groups in the province, suggested the military conduct
their training elsewhere and the government start reducing the
military presence since their presence is considered unhelpful.
"In Ambon, the TNI and the police are part of the problem.
It would be better if their number were reduced to a minimum if
the government were to send people who are more committed to
bringing peace to the area,"
Ichsan also called on the military to begin recognizing the
civilian government and start collaborating to resolve the
prolonged conflict that has claimed more than 6,000 lives and
displaced more than 750,000 people to other provinces.
Most participants of the seminar were of the same opinion, that
the central government was unable to end the conflict despite the
Malino II peace agreement, which has proved ineffective.
One of the clauses in the agreement is to anticipate and take
stern measures on separatist movements such as the South Maluku
Republic (RMS) who caused havoc when RMS celebrated its
anniversary on April 25.
"The government are quite aware of this event, yet nothing
was done beforehand," said Abdul Gani Fabanyo from the Maluku
People Empowerment Agency.
The Maluku Women's Coalition said that as the government and
its security apparatus had failed to create peace, more and more
people have placed their hope in patron organizations such as
Laskar Jihad and RMS to provide them with protection.
Yet, many believe the conflict in the area is not sectarian
because people from both religious communities had been living in
harmony over the last two years.
They suspected there are certain people or sides, outside of
the area, who were trying to prolong the conflict.