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THE PROTESTANT CHURCH OF MALUKU
In Conjunction With
THE AMBOINA BISHOP'S OFFICE OF
THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH
==================================
A JOINT STATEMENT OF
THE EXECUTIVE BOARD OF THE PROTESTANT CHURCH OF MALUKU and
THE AMBOINA BISHOP'S OFFICE OF THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH
After having made a serious study of the succeeding riots which took place
in the province of Maluku, with a view to upholding truth and justice, and
in commitment to maintain the unity state of the Republic of Indonesia
based on the Pancasila (ideology), we, THE EXECUTIVE BOARD OF THE
PROTESTANT CHURCH OF MALUKU and THE AMBOINA BISHOP'S OFFICE OF THE ROMAN
CATHOLIC CHURCH, hereby issue the following statement:
1. That during recent days the Christian community (in Ambon) have become
the target of a massive organized attack by Moslems;
2. That the (real) reason behind the riots in Maluku are the political and
ideological machinations of a certain group. For these political purposes
religion has been abused to deliberately create inter-religious conflicts.
Murders have taken place, as well looting of private property and the
violation of basic values of human relationships. The said purposes of this
group are firmly opposed by the Christian community as well as the
nationalist-minded Moslem people (in Ambon);
3. That in spite of being opposed firmly by the Christian community as well
as nationalist-minded Moslems, the Christian community is in a vulnerable
position because of the above group's power resulting from the influx of
many people from outside the Maluku area;
4. The T.N.I. (Indonesian Nationalist Armed Forces) and the POLRI (Police
Force of the Republic of Indonesia) was expected to solve the problem.
However, in actual fact (many) members of TNI and POLRI have lost their
neutrality. Cases have been found in which TNI and POLRI (security)
personnel have attacked and shot dead Christians in their own communities
and allowed Moslems to burn the residential houses of Christians and loot
private property. (Security) personnel have taken sides in allowing the
amassing of people and attacks by Moslem crowds. They even applied
violence, shooting at Christians (huddled) in their church buildings and
burning of the bodies of Christians who died at the hands of the security
personnel and the Moslem crowds;
5. That the orders to shoot on sight issued by the Chief of the XVIth
Pattimura Regional Military Command were carried out in a one-sided manner.
When Moslem crowds attacked in an organized way they were not stopped, but
when Christian crowds reacted in self defense they were brutally shot at
with the intention to kill;
6. That on Thursday, 12th August 1999 not only Moslems who were supported
by military personnel armed with automatic weapons carried out an attack on
Christian communities, shooting at Christians and burning their dwellings;
in addition, there were people armed with automatic weapons who roamed the
streets by car and shot at Christians who happened to be standing along or
walking on the streets;
7. That if this situation continues (and is not stopped), it is well
possible that Christians in Maluku, who are equally recognized as
(indigenous) Indonesian citizens, will soon be subjected to further inhuman
treatment in the form of killings, lootings, persecution and other
violations of human rights;
(We) therefore urgently appeal to:
1. The R.I. President and Chief of the Armed Forces to take immediate
action to stop the violence in Maluku. In order to safeguard the neutrality
of TNI personnel in handling the riots, within the shortest time the
KOSTRAD (Strategic Forces) units should be withdrawn (from the island) and
the (local) ZIPUR (Army Engineers) division in particular, disarmed.
2. The (Protestant) Indonesian Communion of Churches and the (Catholic)
Conference of Indonesian Church Fathers to approach the United Nations
Secretary General and the President of the United States to request their
immediate action to save the population (of Maluku) in general and the
Christian community of Maluku in particular.
This concludes the joint statement and appeal which was made out of concern
and responsibility, in the hope that it will meet with a positive reaction.
Thank you. Shalom.
Ambon, 12th August 1999
EXECUTIVE BOARD OF THE SYNOD OF THE PROTESTANT CHURCH OF MALUKU
CHAIRMAN
(Signed) Rev. S.P. Titaley, SH (Graduate of Law School)
GENERAL SECRETARY
(Signed) Max M. Siahaya, STh (Graduate of Theological School)
AMBOINA BISHOP'S OFFICE OF THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH
On Behalf of THE BISHOP OF AMBOINA
(Signed) Monsignor Joseph T.
SECRETARY TO THE AMBOINA BISH0P'S OFFICE
(Signed) Pastor Yonas Atjas, Pr. (Auxiliary Bishop)
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"Sebab segala sesuatu adalah dari Dia, dan oleh Dia, dan kepada Dia:
Bagi Dialah kemuliaan sampai selama-lamanya!" (Roma 11:36)
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