CRISIS CENTRE DIOCESE OF AMBOINA
Jalan Pattimura 32 – Ambon 97124 – Indonesia
Tel 0062 (0)911 342195 Fax 0062 (0)911 355337
E-mail: crisiscentre01@hotmail.com
Ambon, March 4, 2002
THE SITUATION IN AMBON / MOLUCCAS – Report No. 246
1. RECTIFICATION ON THE INCIDENT OF MARCH 2nd – Today Father Agus
Ulahaiyanan, of the Crisis Centre Diocese of Amboina, was interviewed on local TV
concerning the incident of March 2 [see yesterday’s Report]. He provided the
following clarification. Knowing that about that time there would be worship underway
in the Al-Fatah Mosque, the rally of the 3000 combined South-East Moluccans and
East-Ceram people followed a route that definitely did not come near the Al-Fatah
Mosque. The motorcyclists that were thrown at with stones when they passed the
Mosque, indeed, were no part of the rally: they had their own unorganized and
seemingly undisciplined “rally”. Thus ! the reaction of these Muslims was fairly
comprehendible though not justified.
2. RADIO SPMM – Notwithstanding the warning by the governor that from March 1st on,
all provocateurs and agitators among the local mass media – after an initial warning
– will be prosecuted, Radio SPMM (Suara Perjuangan Muslim Maluku = Voice of the
Moluccas Muslim Struggle) still goes on with its provocative broadcasting. Today four
employees of this Radio Station came to the Governor’s Office, demanding to meet
the Governor. They were told that they should meet a special commission that had
been established to this end. Unsatisfied they left the Office. Outside the Office there
was a band of Muslim Women holding banners and posters in defense of the SPMM
Radio. One of the above mentioned special commission, Mohamad Ely, declared to
reporters tha! t the instruction of the Governor, issued on February 19, 2002, is clear
enough. He said he will ask the police to take appropriate proceedings in this case,
for he himself, too, had noticed that lately this Radio Station is even increasingly
provocative and urging to make war.
3. LANDMINES – On several earlier occasions people have been injured by tripping on
landmines, including two policemen who consequently had a leg amputated. However,
there are no detectors available neither skilled servicemen to locate and detonate the
mines. It is estimated that both on Ambon island and on the nearby islands there are
quite some areas with landmines. A request will be sent to the Supreme Police
Commander in Jakarta to send specialists for a cleaning up.
C.J.Böhm msc,
Crisis Centre Diocese of Amboina
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