National

12 People Killed in Ambon Rioting
26 April 2004

TEMPO Interactive, Ambon, Maluku:Another riot took place in Ambon, Maluku, on Sunday (25/4) when at least 12 people were shot dead and 58 others were injured. A number of buildings were also burned down in the riot.


According to National Police headquarters (HQ) spokesman Brig. Gen. Soenarko Danu Ardanto, the incident started as supporters and members of yje Maluku Sovereignty Front (FKM) held the 54th anniversary of the South Maluku Republic (RMS) in Kudamati square, Ambon, on Sunday morning.


The police already learned about the holding of the RMS anniversary on Saturday (24/4) night during the meeting held at the residence of Alex Moses Tuanakota, one of the FKM leaders.

On Sunday, (25/4), Maluku Police personnel came to Kudamati square to stop the event. “The event could be classified as a coup d’état,” said Ardanto.

He added that while dispersing the FKM supporters from holding the RMS anniversary, the police also arrested Tuanakota and seized 51 RMS flags.

Apparently, the FKM supporters could not accept this and they went directly to the Maluku Police office and demanded the release of Tuanakota.

The Maluku Police refused and then arrested 20 FKM members for further investigation.

The police also dispersed a group of Tuanakota’s supporters who were still gathering outside of the Maluku Police office. These supporters were told to go back home and to Kudamati square under the guard of the police personnel.


As these FKM members and supporters arrived at the intersection of Trikora monument, they were ambushed by groups who were opposed to the FKM and the RMS.

The clash then took place as both parties launched stones at their opponents. The clash spread out to the areas of Batu Merah, the Trikora monument and Galala.


Sounds of shots and bomb explosions were heard during the riot. Two RMS flags were hoisted by putting the flags on a gas balloon that was released to the air.


The rioters also burned down a number of buildings and houses in at least four areas, Mardika, Trikora, Pohon Pule and Poka, Ambon, including the United Nations (UN) representative office.


National Police HQ’s first director of security and trans-national crimse, Brig. Gen. Aryanto Sutadi, said that the National Police chief, Gen. Da’i Bachtiar, has ordered him to immediately carry out an investigation into this incident in Ambon. Sutadi added that he had sent a team consisting of five high ranking and middle ranking officers to Maluku Police as a back up.
(Mochtar Toewe/Eduardus Karel-Koran Tempo)