Ambon, April 15, 2002
Dear Mr. President of the Unites States of America,
SUBJECT: POSTPONEMENT OF MILITARY AID
As you may be well aware of, a what so called ‘sectarian conflict’ in the province of Moluccas (Maluku), Indonesia, has been going on and on for more than three years now. Thousands people have died while hundreds of thousands have to live in refugee camps. Thousands of houses and buildings have been destroyed and many (Christian) villages have been either destroyed or taken over by Islamic based “jihad militia”, supported by military and police generals, deserters, politicians, government officials and many Islamic Organizations including the National Council of Ulemas (MUI). .
The infiltration of the “jihad militia” to Moluccas, although strongly prohibited by the former President of Indonesia, KH. Abdulrahman Wahid, was encouraged and supported by “Amin Rais”, leader of the National Mandate Party (PAN) and chief of the People Assembly (MPR) and “Hamzah Haz”, leader of the United Development Party (PPP) and recent Vice President of Indonesia. On its way to Moluccas, “jihad militia” was assisted by “Sudi Silalahi”, former chief of Brawijaya Military Commander and “Da’i Bachtiar”, former chief of the Regional Police Force of East Java
and recent National Police chief.
Many middle rank military and police officers have joined “jihad militia” and were apprehended, but then released without being taken to court.
The same treatments were seen to be given to many detained policemen and military soldiers, and “jihad militia”. Some international related Islamic militias like those from Malaysia (KMM) and Arab Countries were allowed to freely enter the country to be involved in fighting Christians in Moluccas. They were heavily armed with military standard firearms and ammunitions that some evidently taken from a special military equipment and facility manufacturer, PINDAD.
People of Moluccas have been molested for more than fifty years based upon a wrong accusation towards the Republic of South Moluccas (RMS) which proclaimed its independent from the United States of Indonesia (RIS), in
April 25th, 1995. The RMS, which had every right to The RMS which had every right to be an independent nation, according to International Laws and Conventions between the Dutch and the RIS (Linggarjati, Renville, Roem-Royen, and Round Table conventions), was invaded by the former Republic of Indonesia (RI) led by Soekarno. The RI itself was one of the states in the RIS, which was govern by the RIS Constitusion. It was in 1959, did Soekarno pronounced a decree to implement the 1945 Constitution (again) that allowed him to occupy all the RIS territory. Soekarno then considered Moluccas as a rebellious province and this twisted account was written down on the pages of national history to be learned by all Indonesians and swallowed by all Moluccans.
But, the truth could never be hidden forever. The people of Moluccas have discovered their rights which were robbed by the former RI, in 1950. Indonesia’s recent government has nothing whatsoever to say against this discovery but keeps launching informal accusation against Moluccans as 'separatists’. Instead of taking this ‘separatism’ matter to an International Court as the Moluccan Sovereign Forum (FKM) had frequently asked for, Indonesia’s government tends to keep suppressing Moluccans by prolonging the conflict. The peaceful agreement known as Malino II Declaration has been, so far, a temporary ‘make up’ on the face of Indonesia’s government. Please remember that Indonesia’s government consists of some retired army generals from the New Order (Soeharto and Habibie’s era).
The “jihad militia” who former intention in infiltrating Moluccas was to help their Moslem fellows, have now been transformed into a ‘defender of the unity of the nation’. To justify their actions, “jihad militia” have baptized the FKM and RMS to be a “Christian separatists group’, which evidently approved by Indonesia’s government, military and police force. In fact both FKM and RMS includes Moluccan Moslems in each of them. The Ministers of Social Affair for the RMS was actually a Moslem by the name “Ibrahim Lestaluhu”, who was the former ‘king’ of a Moslem Village of Tulehu in Ambon. Even after the Malino II Declaration where peace should be restored in Moluccas, there is no intention of removing “jihad militia” from Moluccas. This heavily armed civilian militia are allowed to occupy several Christian villages, and to spread its provocative messages nationwide. Its leader, Ja’far Umar Thalib was once apprehended and held in custody in the National Police HQ, charged for unlawfully implementing Islamic Law (stone to death) in Ambon. He was afterward released for some unclear reasons and permitted to carry on his loathing religious campaigns throughout the country. Transforming Moluccas into a totally Moslem province is the main intention of “jihad militia” and they would not be reluctant to perform forced circumcision to Moluccan Christian men and women, again.
On the other hand, the leader of FKM, dr. Alex Manuputty, was taken into Police custody for raising the RMS’s flag on April 25, 2001. He was sent to the Police HQ in Jakarta for no reason, and sent back afterward. It is interesting to note that Mr. Manuputty was not charged for any separatism action that may result in a severe sentence. To be able to accuse Mr. Manuputty as a separatist, Indonesia’s government would have to formally prove that the RMS was actually rebelling in 1995 and that its Declaration of Independence was unlawful according to International Laws. Failed to do so, Mr. Manuputty was only charged for disobeying the local authority’s regulation. Consequently, Indonesia’s government would have to find a way to crush the FKM and RMS, and it is believed that the latest bombing, killings and burnings had very much to do with this.
Since the roles of military in political and social affairs was limited, there has been numbers of communal disorder and clashes which required military operations. In case of the conflict, a premeditated political conflict in a religious robe, in Moluccas, a Regional Military Command (KODAM) was reinstalled in the province. This has, again, expand the military network and strengthen its grips in a relatively wider territory.
The main reason behind this extended military territorial grips is the multibillion company owned or run by retired military generals like Soeharto, and their families. You may look at some ‘Wood Cutting and Industry” in Moluccas as an example. As a consequence of expanding the territory, the military would need more supplies for equipment and
facilities. This, in turn, would create another prosperous business for the retired army generals’ families. In short, to retain these corrupted business which cause billion dollars loss to the nation, there should be no peace in some areas like Moluccas (and Poso, Central Sulawesi). Many more innocent Moluccan people will have to suffer and died for the sake of these military owned multimillion corrupted companies.
As you may now be able to see, Mr. President, these three main contributors to the conflict have their own separated interests in Moluccas to be pursued using a common ‘escape goat’ – Christian Separatism Movements by the FKM and RMS. Please allow me to reassure you, Mr. President, that the essence of this conflict does not lie on religion. The source of this conflict is crooked political desires of Indonesia’s government, military and “jihad
militia”, under the blanket of religion. I hereby urge you to suspend your assistance to the Indonesian military, or you might be considered as being supportive to the human rights abuses, corruptions and political crimes in Indonesia. One bullet you give them may represent the death of an innocent Moluccan, and the grieve of many others. This would, in the other perspective, be a divergence of your determination in freeing the world from terrorisms, one of which I have just shown you. At this stage, should I be asked ‘what would be the most important thing for Moluccan people’, then the very answer shall be “the presence of the United Nations Peacekeeping Force and Representatives” (in the province).
Thank you very much for taking into account the sufferings of Moluccan people into your thoughtful decisions and may God bless you, Mr. President.
Sincerely,
Joshua Latupatti
Dear Mr. President of the Unites States of America,
SUBJECT: POSTPONEMENT OF MILITARY AID
As you may be well aware of, a what so called ‘sectarian conflict’ in the province of Moluccas (Maluku), Indonesia, has been going on and on for more than three years now. Thousands people have died while hundreds of thousands have to live in refugee camps. Thousands of houses and buildings have been destroyed and many (Christian) villages have been either destroyed or taken over by Islamic based “jihad militia”, supported by military and police generals, deserters, politicians, government officials and many Islamic Organizations including the National Council of Ulemas (MUI). .
The infiltration of the “jihad militia” to Moluccas, although strongly prohibited by the former President of Indonesia, KH. Abdulrahman Wahid, was encouraged and supported by “Amin Rais”, leader of the National Mandate Party (PAN) and chief of the People Assembly (MPR) and “Hamzah Haz”, leader of the United Development Party (PPP) and recent Vice President of Indonesia. On its way to Moluccas, “jihad militia” was assisted by “Sudi Silalahi”, former chief of Brawijaya Military Commander and “Da’i Bachtiar”, former chief of the Regional Police Force of East Java
and recent National Police chief.
Many middle rank military and police officers have joined “jihad militia” and were apprehended, but then released without being taken to court.
The same treatments were seen to be given to many detained policemen and military soldiers, and “jihad militia”. Some international related Islamic militias like those from Malaysia (KMM) and Arab Countries were allowed to freely enter the country to be involved in fighting Christians in Moluccas. They were heavily armed with military standard firearms and ammunitions that some evidently taken from a special military equipment and facility manufacturer, PINDAD.
People of Moluccas have been molested for more than fifty years based upon a wrong accusation towards the Republic of South Moluccas (RMS) which proclaimed its independent from the United States of Indonesia (RIS), in
April 25th, 1995. The RMS, which had every right to The RMS which had every right to be an independent nation, according to International Laws and Conventions between the Dutch and the RIS (Linggarjati, Renville, Roem-Royen, and Round Table conventions), was invaded by the former Republic of Indonesia (RI) led by Soekarno. The RI itself was one of the states in the RIS, which was govern by the RIS Constitusion. It was in 1959, did Soekarno pronounced a decree to implement the 1945 Constitution (again) that allowed him to occupy all the RIS territory. Soekarno then considered Moluccas as a rebellious province and this twisted account was written down on the pages of national history to be learned by all Indonesians and swallowed by all Moluccans.
But, the truth could never be hidden forever. The people of Moluccas have discovered their rights which were robbed by the former RI, in 1950. Indonesia’s recent government has nothing whatsoever to say against this discovery but keeps launching informal accusation against Moluccans as 'separatists’. Instead of taking this ‘separatism’ matter to an International Court as the Moluccan Sovereign Forum (FKM) had frequently asked for, Indonesia’s government tends to keep suppressing Moluccans by prolonging the conflict. The peaceful agreement known as Malino II Declaration has been, so far, a temporary ‘make up’ on the face of Indonesia’s government. Please remember that Indonesia’s government consists of some retired army generals from the New Order (Soeharto and Habibie’s era).
The “jihad militia” who former intention in infiltrating Moluccas was to help their Moslem fellows, have now been transformed into a ‘defender of the unity of the nation’. To justify their actions, “jihad militia” have baptized the FKM and RMS to be a “Christian separatists group’, which evidently approved by Indonesia’s government, military and police force. In fact both FKM and RMS includes Moluccan Moslems in each of them. The Ministers of Social Affair for the RMS was actually a Moslem by the name “Ibrahim Lestaluhu”, who was the former ‘king’ of a Moslem Village of Tulehu in Ambon. Even after the Malino II Declaration where peace should be restored in Moluccas, there is no intention of removing “jihad militia” from Moluccas. This heavily armed civilian militia are allowed to occupy several Christian villages, and to spread its provocative messages nationwide. Its leader, Ja’far Umar Thalib was once apprehended and held in custody in the National Police HQ, charged for unlawfully implementing Islamic Law (stone to death) in Ambon. He was afterward released for some unclear reasons and permitted to carry on his loathing religious campaigns throughout the country. Transforming Moluccas into a totally Moslem province is the main intention of “jihad militia” and they would not be reluctant to perform forced circumcision to Moluccan Christian men and women, again.
On the other hand, the leader of FKM, dr. Alex Manuputty, was taken into Police custody for raising the RMS’s flag on April 25, 2001. He was sent to the Police HQ in Jakarta for no reason, and sent back afterward. It is interesting to note that Mr. Manuputty was not charged for any separatism action that may result in a severe sentence. To be able to accuse Mr. Manuputty as a separatist, Indonesia’s government would have to formally prove that the RMS was actually rebelling in 1995 and that its Declaration of Independence was unlawful according to International Laws. Failed to do so, Mr. Manuputty was only charged for disobeying the local authority’s regulation. Consequently, Indonesia’s government would have to find a way to crush the FKM and RMS, and it is believed that the latest bombing, killings and burnings had very much to do with this.
Since the roles of military in political and social affairs was limited, there has been numbers of communal disorder and clashes which required military operations. In case of the conflict, a premeditated political conflict in a religious robe, in Moluccas, a Regional Military Command (KODAM) was reinstalled in the province. This has, again, expand the military network and strengthen its grips in a relatively wider territory.
The main reason behind this extended military territorial grips is the multibillion company owned or run by retired military generals like Soeharto, and their families. You may look at some ‘Wood Cutting and Industry” in Moluccas as an example. As a consequence of expanding the territory, the military would need more supplies for equipment and
facilities. This, in turn, would create another prosperous business for the retired army generals’ families. In short, to retain these corrupted business which cause billion dollars loss to the nation, there should be no peace in some areas like Moluccas (and Poso, Central Sulawesi). Many more innocent Moluccan people will have to suffer and died for the sake of these military owned multimillion corrupted companies.
As you may now be able to see, Mr. President, these three main contributors to the conflict have their own separated interests in Moluccas to be pursued using a common ‘escape goat’ – Christian Separatism Movements by the FKM and RMS. Please allow me to reassure you, Mr. President, that the essence of this conflict does not lie on religion. The source of this conflict is crooked political desires of Indonesia’s government, military and “jihad
militia”, under the blanket of religion. I hereby urge you to suspend your assistance to the Indonesian military, or you might be considered as being supportive to the human rights abuses, corruptions and political crimes in Indonesia. One bullet you give them may represent the death of an innocent Moluccan, and the grieve of many others. This would, in the other perspective, be a divergence of your determination in freeing the world from terrorisms, one of which I have just shown you. At this stage, should I be asked ‘what would be the most important thing for Moluccan people’, then the very answer shall be “the presence of the United Nations Peacekeeping Force and Representatives” (in the province).
Thank you very much for taking into account the sufferings of Moluccan people into your thoughtful decisions and may God bless you, Mr. President.
Sincerely,
Joshua Latupatti