Poso Figures Reject Plan for Arsal's Capture
Monday, 13 November, 2006 | 16:10 WIB

TEMPO Interactive, Palu: A number of leading figures in Poso have rejected the police plan to capture Ustad (Islamic mentor) Abdul Rahman Saleh (Arsal), the leader of the Amanah Pesantren (Islamic boarding school), Tanah Runtuh, Poso.

In addition to considering the plan as nonsense, they assume it is a strong indication that the police actually have a hidden agenda regarding the Poso Muslim leader.

“The capture of Ustad Adnan would worsen the Poso conflict reconciliation process,” said Harun Nyak Item Abu, a youth leader from Kayamanya, Poso, yesterday (12/11).

Ustad Ahmad from Gebang Rejo said that Adnan has become a Poso Muslim fighter.

Therefore, if the police do capture him, Poso residents will certainly react.

“He has never run out from Poso when open conflict broke out,” he said.

The plan for Arsal capture was stated by Indonesian Police (Polri) spokesman, Brig, Gen. Sisno Adiwinoto, on Friday (10/11).

The reason given was thatArsal was suspected of providing protection for 29 fugitives involved in a terrorism case in Poso, in addition to committing provocation criminal acts.

Tajwin Ibrahim, a member of Poso Muslim Defence Team, said he intends to block police efforts to capture Adnan.

He also asked that the security system in Poso be evaluated.

This is because during the six years of Poso conflicts, the amount of police and Indonesian Military (TNI) personnel there has never been reduced.

“So, not only residents, but also security personnel in Poso must also be evaluated,” he said.

Entering the third day of the hunt, the police have not yet captured even one of the 29 suspected terrorism perpetrators in Poso who have been included on the list of wanted persons.

Access points to Poso Regency have been closely guarded.

DARLIS