Riots have broken out in Ambon yet again. Five persons have been killed, several vehicles burned, and windows shattered. The clash that erupted between rival groups on 11 September has left much trauma. It is frightening, because people still feel the deep wounds of the long conflict in the land of spices since 1999.
The 11 September riots were sparked by a rumor about the death of a motorcycle taxi driver named Darwis Saiman. Several wounds were found on the victim's body. One version of the rumors said the wounds were caused by a torture. However, police said Darwis died from a traffic accident.
Gripping Tension
The rumors went like gasoline poured over the fire. Riots spread quickly. Residents burned motorbikes and rolled cars over. Ambon's quiet atmosphere suddenly turned into a gripping tension. Residents panicked, frightened, and then fled to places they considered safe.
Every conflict in Ambon has always been a nightmare. There is a dark and bitter experience that has not vanished. The prolonged conflict since January 1999 has claimed thousands of lives and destroyed almost all social orders. The conflict only subsided after the signing of the Malino II Agreement on 11 February 2002.
The prolonged conflict in Ambon should be a lesson for the government to maintain social cohesion. The government has to be more creative in finding social therapies to maintain the cohesion that has existed between the various community groups.
However, the fact that riots still easily erupt due to biased information shows how poor those social therapies are. Apparently the public does not believe the government's explanation, making them highly irritable and easily provoked.
Police explanation that the victim died from a traffic accident was not readily accepted. The public is more trusting of information they received from acquaintances, friends, as well as circulating SMS. Based on such information, the public acted. In fact, the information might have come from sources that were deliberately heating the situation.
Dialogue With Community Leaders
The government has always acted too late and preferred the role of a fireman. Deploying police in large numbers and sending reinforcements only after the public has gone mad and casualties have been inflicted. The government holds dialogue with religious and community leaders only when buildings have been destroyed, pelted with stones, and vehicles burned by the mob.
The Malino II Agreement should have served as a social asset. Dialogue with community leaders should be made monthly or three monthly menus for every regional leader.
We are very concerned because people have always become victims of officials' negligence. Because of the government's negligence, people have lost their lives and properties destroyed in flames. We remind the government that there must be assurance that every citizen in this country gets the comforts of life. We should not let people become wanderers trying to find quiet places; because there is no longer a peaceful place in this country.
The 11 September riots were sparked by a rumor about the death of a motorcycle taxi driver named Darwis Saiman. Several wounds were found on the victim's body. One version of the rumors said the wounds were caused by a torture. However, police said Darwis died from a traffic accident.
Gripping Tension
The rumors went like gasoline poured over the fire. Riots spread quickly. Residents burned motorbikes and rolled cars over. Ambon's quiet atmosphere suddenly turned into a gripping tension. Residents panicked, frightened, and then fled to places they considered safe.
Every conflict in Ambon has always been a nightmare. There is a dark and bitter experience that has not vanished. The prolonged conflict since January 1999 has claimed thousands of lives and destroyed almost all social orders. The conflict only subsided after the signing of the Malino II Agreement on 11 February 2002.
The prolonged conflict in Ambon should be a lesson for the government to maintain social cohesion. The government has to be more creative in finding social therapies to maintain the cohesion that has existed between the various community groups.
However, the fact that riots still easily erupt due to biased information shows how poor those social therapies are. Apparently the public does not believe the government's explanation, making them highly irritable and easily provoked.
Police explanation that the victim died from a traffic accident was not readily accepted. The public is more trusting of information they received from acquaintances, friends, as well as circulating SMS. Based on such information, the public acted. In fact, the information might have come from sources that were deliberately heating the situation.
Dialogue With Community Leaders
The government has always acted too late and preferred the role of a fireman. Deploying police in large numbers and sending reinforcements only after the public has gone mad and casualties have been inflicted. The government holds dialogue with religious and community leaders only when buildings have been destroyed, pelted with stones, and vehicles burned by the mob.
The Malino II Agreement should have served as a social asset. Dialogue with community leaders should be made monthly or three monthly menus for every regional leader.
We are very concerned because people have always become victims of officials' negligence. Because of the government's negligence, people have lost their lives and properties destroyed in flames. We remind the government that there must be assurance that every citizen in this country gets the comforts of life. We should not let people become wanderers trying to find quiet places; because there is no longer a peaceful place in this country.
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