Maluku

Foreign Countries’ Military Activities Threaten Maluku Borders
Friday, 06 August, 2004 | 18:25 WIB

TEMPO Interactive, Ambon, Maluku:The borders of Maluku, particularly the islands in the outer part of West Southeast Maluku regency, are threatened by activities of the Australian and US militaries.

“At the moment, the military training of these countries is carried out nearby to our islands. Therefore, we have to anticipate this matter immediately,” XVI Pattimura Military chief Maj. Gen. Syarifudin Sumah told reporters at the Pattimura XVI Military Command headquarters (HQ) in Ambon on Friday (06/08).

According to Sumah, he has established coordination with the Indonesian Military (TNI) Navy base in Halong, Ambon, to build a navy base in Saumlaki, West Southeast Maluku regency and help the security in the border areas.

If this navy base is not built immediately, the help needed to secure the area will require a long period of time.

Sumah said that this establishment of this navy base was important to anticipate threats posed by foreign countries.

Sumah also warned the people of Maluku to be aware of the activities of foreign non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in Maluku.

“You can guess that Maluku Sovereignty Front (FKM) was supported by foreign NGOs. So, we have to be aware on all foreign NGOs based in Maluku,” Suma stated. (Yusnita - Tempo News Room)