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 28, 2002
THE SITUATION IN AMBON / MOLUCCAS – Report No. 252
1. SPMM ACCUSED OF SLANDER – In a recent press conference, 19 of the 35
Muslim delegates that had participated in the reconciliation meeting at Malino on
11-12 February 2002, met with the local mass media to comment on the somewhat
confusing attitude of the Muslim community towards the result of the Moluccas
agreement at Malino. The delegates, led by Thamrin Ely, declared that all of the 35
Muslim delegates are united in maintaining the eleven-point agreement
notwithstanding the fact that there are certain forces within the Muslim community of
Ambon that disagree, even go around gathering endorsement for their disavowal of the
agreement. No objection to those efforts as long as it is fair play. However, it is not
fair play – they said – to take advantage of people’s ignorance or stupidity like is
being done by the SPMM Radio (Radio Suara Perjuangan Muslim Maluku)
broadcasts. The SPMM Radio is trying to blow up the agreement by all kinds of
provocative messages, even by way of slander, among others by claiming that the
delegates were lured to sign the agreement having been bribed with the enormous
sum of 30 to 40 million rupiahs (US$ 3,000.- / Eur 3.500,-) each. Slander is a grave
sin in the eyes of the Muslims – one of the delegates said – and those who say to
defend Islam, like the SPMM does, should first of all do some introspection before
presenting themselves as defenders of the Islam. The delegates have decided to bring
the case to court, he said.
2. SUMMONED TO JAKARTA – On March 26, Governor M.S.Latuconsina was
unexpectedly called to Jakarta to meet with the Minister for Political and Security
Affairs Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono. The Governor, who is accompanied by the
military chief commander, the police chief commander and several other high
functionaries, had a four-hours meeting with the Minister yesterday. A planned visit to
Ambon by Coordinating Minister for Social Affairs Jusuf Kalla, has been postponed
twice already.
3. CORRUPTION – On all levels there is stupendous corruption going on in the
Moluccas, now that there is an inflow of billions of rupiahs in domestic and foreign aid.
The local newsmedia have clever reporters that go after each case of embezzlement,
and many cases are exposed extensively in the newspapers – seemingly with hardly
any result; neither is there any lawsuit against the newspapers because of these
pieces of news – which is a silent confession of the truth of their reports.
4. INCREASE OF TRAFFIC BY ROAD – During the last few weeks Ambon has been
very calm and no shooting or bombing could be heard. This encourages people to
venture into each other’s areas. The road from Ambon to Tulehu, which alternatively
passes through several Christian and Muslim areas, is now regarded safe enough for
ordinar minibuses, which are more and more frequently used by the citizens. It is
quicker and cheaper than by speedboat. However, the stretch from Passo to Laha,
where the airport is, is still regarded as "unsafe".
C.J.Böhm msc,
Crisis Centre Diocese of Amboina
|
