by Helmi Wattimena; Chairman FKM-USA
First let me express my gratitude to God and appreciation to the sponsors of this meeting in giving FKM the opportunity to address the audience here at the Conference on Aceh. We would like to communicate to you that at the end of the 20th century and at the beginning of the 21st century marking the end of the second millennium signify a period of time that will be remembered as a painful period for a civilized Moluccan society. A period of time where human, moral, and religious values as well as the rule of law appears to have no meaning whatsoever. The rights of the Moluccan people have been violated. Even wild animals have shown greater appreciation for the above aforementioned values.
The celebration of the 51st anniversary of the Proclamation of the Republic of South Moluccas on April 25 turned out to be a success with more than 2000 people witnessing our flag "The Voices of the Rainbow" flying proudly in the Moluccan skies. We can't help but think about our future as a nation. What do we want to do with our life? Life can be a rocky road. The challenge is not to let it grind you into dust, but to polish you into a brilliant gem. To answer the question that I posed above let's take a look at a letter written by the Moluccan Father of Democracy, Dr. Soumokil to the Geneva Conference on April 2, 1954. It was as follows:
On April 12, 1966, one minute before 07.00am, Mr. Dr. Chr. R. S. Soumokil, President of the Republic of the South Moluccas (RMS) gave his last breath. He had been shot by the Indonesian firing-squad.
Appeal from Ceram to the Geneva Conference, 2 April 1954
On this day, 25 April 1954, the fourth anniversary of the Proclamation of the Republic of the South Moluccas and the opening day of the Geneva Conference, on Asia, I, Dr. Ch. R. S. Soumokil, President of the Republic of the South Moluccas, appeals from Ceram, the seat of the Government and Headquarters of the Fighting Forces of the Republic, to the Nations participating in the Conference of Geneva.
Under the auspices of the United Nations the Right to self-determination has been granted and guaranteed to the PEOPLES of the Indonesian Archipelago in the Round Table Conference Agreements of December 27th 1949.
Immediately after the transfer of Sovereignty by the Kingdom of the Netherlands to the Republic of the UNITED STATES OF INDONESIA, one of the component states, the Republic of Indonesia the capital of which at that time was Djocjakarta, with the purpose of transforming the federal structure of the UNITED STATES OF INDONESIA into a unitarian state called the Republic of Indonesia, started to liquidate and to annex the fifteen other component states by means of intimidation, infiltration and use of armed force.+++
When in April 1950 the forces of the Republic of Indonesia invaded the component state of East Indonesia the capital of which was Makassar, the Council of the South Moluccas***, backed by the people, making use of their Right to withdraw from the component state of East Indonesia and of their Right to self-determination, on April 25,1950 proclaimed the Independent and Sovereign Republic of the South Moluccas.
Although the people and their Council had thus acted within their rights, the Republic was invaded by the troops of the Republic of Indonesia and a long and cruel war ensued.
I am sending this appeal to you from Ceram, the largest island of the republic of the South Moluccas where the Government and the Army of the Republic have been fighting successfully during four years and where they will fight on until the whole territory of their Republic is liberated.
I appeal to you, assembled in Geneva especially to establish Peace and Order in Asia, with the urgent request to see to it that the obligations, undertaken under the responsibility of the United Nations, be met and the Right granted to our people and guaranteed by the Free Nations of the World be implemented, so that Peace and Order be restored in this part of South East Asia.
In the name of two million South Moluccans I express my confidence by your constructive action during this conference the rightful aspiration of the South Moluccan people will be made true.
Tiang Bandera - Ceram
MENA-MURIA
The President of the Republic of the South Moluccas, Dr. Chr. R. S. Soumokil
Dr. Soumokil's letter clearly illustrated the following points:
A. *** The elimination of federal states by means of terror, intimidation, and the force of arms by the Indonesian leaders tactlessly ignored important political decisions, such as the one taken by the South Moluccan Council on March 11th, 1947, to join the federal state of East Indonesia conditionally, that is to say: without prejudice to their right to withdraw from the "federal state" in case the interest of the South Moluccans should be insufficiently taken into account. This decision together with the other treaties spelled out in the Linggarjati, Renville, and Round Table agreements served as the legal bedrocks that will protect the South-Moluccans forever from such injustices committed by the government of Indonesia.
B. +++ Unlike the other fifteen component states, the South-Moluccan Council in their capacity as the representative of the people and in this regard will have a profound impact on the destiny of its people in whatever decision it deems to make. In this case the Council act prudently. It makes sure that when one entered into a transaction whether it's business, economic or a political, it needs to make sure that it will serve to protect one's interest. Therefore the Council entered into a contract with strings attached. These strings are better known as contingencies, conditions, an escape clause or within the context of a marriage they called it a "Pre-nuptial Agreement." In this particular case the condition is Loud & Clear: The South Moluccas has the right to secede should the federal state of East Indonesia fail to pay due regard to the interest of the South Moluccas. In other words the South-Moluccas has the right to withdraw from the federal state of East Indonesia should there be a violation of the contract (breech of contract).
This breech of contract became obvious when the then Republic of Indonesia which is one of the component states of the United States of Indonesia went ahead with their plan to annex all the other states illegally. As a consequence the South-Moluccan Council went ahead to exercise the "escape clause" legally given to them and proclaim the South-Moluccas Independence on April 25, 1950; approximately 4 months ahead before NKRI proclaim their own on August 17, 1950. Note: The proclamation of August 17, 1945 did not include the other 15 component states. It was limited to only Java, Madura, and Sumatra.
C. This point has to do with our "Dignity" and self-respect as Moluccans. There is something deep in the heart of every man and woman that is important and demands respect. Every human being is unique, individual personality, and the most powerful drive in any person is to maintain this individuality, to defend this important something against all enemies. This is why you cannot treat people as machines, as numbers on a register, or as "masses," and get by with it. Every effort that has been made to deprive human being of this individual worth has failed. It is more powerful than the armies and prison camps. It proved more powerful than the feudal lords who tried to turn people into serfs. It proved more powerful than Hitler's armies. And it set the stage of our own "land of the free"; for the Moluccan Declaration of Independence, is really a declaration of independence for the individual. It derives its power not because it sets out certain rights for a certain group of men, but from the fact that it proclaims certain unalienable rights for "all men." Hence, April 25 is a day where we reconfirm our "dignity" as a people. A dignity that can't never be taken away regardless of the consequences. Nothing can tame a flaming heart.
D. As I've stated before, life can be a rocky road. We as a people have suffered the last 474 years, because others, like a partridge that hatches eggs it did not lay, those who like to gain riches by unjust means continue to prevent us from becoming the people God destined us to be. Therefore we should become the creator of our own destiny. Otherwise others will decide that for us. The key is to not allow those bumpy roads grind us into dust, but instead to polish us into a brilliant gem. To serve us as a guide we need to refer to the famous U.S. Declaration of Independence and its chief author, President Thomas Jefferson. It goes as follows: When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation. We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.
E. Are we suppose to believe and listen the opinion of Saleh Latuconsina, a man that is known to have friendly meetings with the vigilante Jihad and a supporter of Pancasila? This man can't even think accurately. Inaccurate thinking is the major cause as to why Moluccans up till now have not enjoyed a Decent Life, Liberty, and the Chance to the Pursuit of Happiness. To rely on Pancasila is like a man trying to go up the ladder thinking he is going to the top, not knowing that he placed his ladder on the wrong wall. The wall will soon crumble. Let's see if this wall called Pancasila is strong. What happen with humanity or worthiness of human being called Perikemanusiaan and Social Justice or Keadilan Social? Do we as Moluccans ever experience these? What happen with the believe in God? Must we all be forced to become Muslims? Can't we just choose whether we want to be a Muslim, Christian, Buddha, Atheist, or Agnostic on our own free will? As you can see this wall is but a fantasy. Given that Gus Dur is a good man, is there any guarantee that we will be safe after he is gone? At this point in time there is no such thing as a Manusia Pancasila" that I see exist in Indonesia. If there are some they have no power to have any impact on the Moluccan case. I believe FKM is on the right tract when it demanded the return of the Moluccan sovereignty that was brutally taken away by Soekarno in the 50's. Regardless what Gus Dur will do or not do, the Moluccan people are convinced that they will never enjoy a Decent Life, Liberty, and a chance to Pursue Happiness. These three unalienable rights are precisely the walls that the Moluccans should lean on, and FKM is the only grass roots movement or movement of the people, by the people and for the people.
The mission and vision of FKM is as follows:
1. To create a Moluccan society where every Moluccan citizen will have a chance to have a Decent Life, Liberty, and a Chance to Pursue Happiness.
2. To bring all the perpetrators of the Moluccan tragedy to the International Court for crimes against Humanity. This list had been posted in the past and will be post it again to alert the world that we will never forget this conspiracy to fossilize our people. We will make sure that the world will never forget this crime against humanity committed by the NKRI.
3. To teach every single Moluccan from the age of 9 to 92 the true history of the Moluccan people and make them realize that our independence was declared on April 25, 1950, not August 17,1945(Republic Jogja) or 1950(R.I.Serikat). As you can clearly see Latoconsina does not represent the grassroots movement as is the case with FKM.
F. We as Moluccans were denied our Human Rights or for practical purposes our Civil Rights. Several examples came to mind. They were as follows:
Within a period of only two years, more than 15,000 people lost their lives, hundred thousands of people lost their homes and are currently roaming in the jungles without us knowing their where about, thousands of people became handicapped for the rest of their lives. Hundred three (103) Christian villages, hundred seventy-three (173) Christian congregation, one Moslem village, and several Moslem neighborhoods were completely destroyed. Cultural values that placed a high value on inter-religious tolerance, inter-customary tolerance, and other forms of tolerance were virtually destroyed overnight. Clear examples of tolerance can be seen when people of Muslim villages were obligated to assist in the building of churches, and people of Christian villages must help in the building of mosques. A phenomenon that exist since thousands years ago. This tradition even became an example of religious tolerance for other regions in Indonesia. The Indonesian government then alleged that the conflict instead was characterized by a nuance of SARA (Suku or ethnic, Agama or religion, Ras or racial, and Antar-golongan or inter-group); with the purpose of blaming the average person that did not quite understand the reason and purpose of this conflict, so the perpetrators of this conflict based in Jakarta will remain unscathed from all their wrong doings.
With the leadership of a new President in the United States, George W. Bush, we expect a greater degree of concern on the part of the international community in general and America in particular towards the plight of the Moluccan people. There seems to be indications of this concern when Mr.Bush in his inaugural address stated the following: Many in our country do not know the pain of poverty, but we can listen to those who do. And I can pledge our nation to a goal: When we see that wounded traveler on the road to Jericho, we will not pass to the other side. Abandonment and abuse are not acts of God; they are failures of love. America, at its best, is compassionate. We will confront weapons of mass destructions, so that a new century is spared new horrors. The enemies of liberty and our country should make no mistake: America remains engage in the world by history and by choice, shaping a balance of power that favors freedom. We will meet aggression and bad faith with resolve and strength.
And to all nations, we will speak for the values that gave our nation birth. The new Secretary of State, Gen. Colin Powell when he stated that America wouldn't allow weapons of mass destruction annihilate our children, confirmed this sentiment.
Several human rights violations and lack of respect for the rule of law that went beyond one's wild expectations continue to happen. They were as follows:
1. Planned attacks on villages in remote islands as well as the ones in areas that can easily be monitored by the international community. This was done with sophisticated weaponry such as rocket launchers, automatic and assault weapons as well as traditional weapons.
2. The act of expelling or to drive out by force people from their land, land that was owned and hand downed by their fore fathers. These legal owners were chased out by force and as a consequence have to escape into the jungle in order to save their own lives. The ones that were captured by the vigilante Jihad forces must face the consequence of simultaneously forced conversion into Islam and circumcision or face dead.
3. Destruction of educational facilities such as universities, elementary, middle, and high schools, as well as house of worships and general facilities. As a consequence, the majority of the children lost their opportunity to obtain an education. Hence, the children will never see a promising future if this problem is not corrected soon. We just can't imagine how the vigilante Jihad forces with the support of the military (TNI) and the police (POLRI) have the audacity to destroy the University of Pattimura, Indonesian Christian University of Maluku (UKIM) and others. Through these brutal acts the government of Indonesia is planning to systematically destroy the intellectual development of future generations of Moluccans.
4. Up till this moment we still have no idea to the where about of the inhabitants of nine (9) Christian villages in Tehoru and Werinama at the island of Seram. Since the attack on December '99 until February 2000, we were able to confirm the condition of people living in the 36 out of 38 villages. They no longer live in their villages. Instead they are roaming in the jungles so they can remain save from the attacks of the vigilantes Jihad forces.
5.Repeated looting, mass killing and slaughtering of the Moluccan people. For example 143 people were slaughtered and simultaneously buried in one graveyard.
These repeated violations of human rights principals and lack of respect for the rule of law led to a deep-seated fear in the community as well as a lost of confidence in the military, police, and the government of Indonesia.
One may ask, "What is the cause of this human tragedy? " Several studies and analysis done by independent researches lead to the conclusion that can be described as follows: The Indonesian government collaborated with the military and police and using the Jihad forces to conspire in the destruction of the Moluccan people. In other words, what happens in the Moluccan islands is the result of State Sponsored Genocide similar to when Hitler massacred the Jews; State Violence leveled upon them as his Final Solution for the Jews.
Imagine the military (TNI) and the police (POLRI) conspire to drive us to the sea and try to wipe us out of our sacred land are given a license to commit ethnic cleansing sponsored by the State?
How much compensation do you think ought to be paid to the Moluccan people who were raped emotionally, financially, culturally, economically for more than 50 years by the government of Indonesia? What would you want for their sons and daughters if they had been raped even once?
Just imagine; what would you have done if a stranger forced him self into your home; raped and killed your wife and children in front of your own eyes, then they tell you that they are going to spare you, because they want you to suffer for the rest of your life?
The Indonesian government failed to uphold her responsibility to protect her so called citizens according to the Indonesian Constitution of 1945- UUD 1945(The Moluccan people were forced to become Indonesian citizen because the then Republic of Indonesia illegally annexed Maluku. (See point 1 & 2 mentioned above)
Numerous evidence points to the fact that the Indonesian government is indeed the cause of unrest and violence in the Moluccas. They are as follows:
1.The government of Indonesia act as a facilitator that in turn make it possible for the vigilante Jihad forces to enter the Moluccan islands. There they were given a license to kill, torture and force Christians to convert to Islam. So far our people have been slaughtered and many disemboweled, many communities in the islands have been scorch to the ground, people are driven away from their land, thousands of homeless people as well as orphans, more than 1000 churches have been burned.
2.The vigilante Jihad forces came into the picture as a result of provocation by Prof. Dr. Amien Rais, Chairman of the People Consultative Assembly (MPR). Can you imagine someone that supposedly represents the people commit such brutal act? It is obvious; that this is another evidence of a State Sponsored Genocide committed by the government of Indonesia leveled upon the Moluccan people. The fact that the Jihad forces engage themselves in planned activities to annihilate the Moluccan population, to exhibit their plan of aggression in front of the Presidential palace complete with their illegal weapons in hand, should be enough reasons for the government to take action and arrest the perpetrators. However, no action was taken. In fact these vigilantes were allowed to use the state owned ship (PELNI) to transport these people to Maluku.
Our data updated through Nov 30, 2000 showed the presence of 14,617 vigilantes in Maluku.
3. The Indonesian government allowed these vigilante forces to supply guns to Maluku using containers transported by ship. When these containers arrive in Ambon, these supply of guns were not confiscated. As a result these vigilantes could freely use these guns to annihilate our people.
4. The military and police were actively engaged in planned attacks of Christian villages and then slaughter them. This was done openly and in some cases done in a subtle manner. Military ranks involved range anywhere from the rank of Brigadier General, Colonel, Lieutenant Colonel (Commando Leaders), as well as low ranking soldiers in the field.
One interesting observation, is that areas where the military and police stationed usually became fertile grounds of unrest.
5. The government of Indonesia fails to stop plans of force religious conversion into Islam. Even after numerous reports by the media regarding forced conversion of one's religion, the government remains silent. In fact they will accuse those who report these incidents as those who perpetrate lies and provocations. After world wide reporting of the incident at the island of Kesui in East Seram, and after strong reaction by the international community finally the Indonesian government decided to take a stand, although this is done in a dishonest way using tactics with the purpose of pacifying the world community, when in fact nothing was done about it.
6. The Indonesian government failed to alleviate the unrest. The reconciliation effort implemented so far was only used to obtain financial support from the international community. This support in turn was used to arm the military and the vigilante jihad forces to annihilate the Moluccan people.
7. Strong allegations point to the presence of international terrorism from the Middle East and alleged assistance in the supply of fezzes and prayer mats from Kuwait as an effort of forced Islamization. This was widely reported by the media, but there was no response whatsoever from the government.
Misrepresentation of facts that were used as a tool to provoke the mass. In this case the government neither prevent nor clarify the actual facts. They are as follows:
a. It was reported that the root cause of the Moluccan unrest is due to Christians slaughtering the Muslim on solat Ied (Morning prayer on Muslim's Idhul Fitri) However the actual cause of the conflict happen when at 4.45 pm a group of Muslim youth from South Sulawesi with a plan to provoke attempt to extort money from a transportation driver who happen to be a Christian. This bad intention that is planned a head of time and known as Tim Advokasi Lebaran Berdarah and Posko Lebaran Berdarah established on January 6, 1999. This group was the one that engineered the conflict that occur on Jan 19, 1999. This incident was properly documented by the courts (decision #: 34/Pid.B/1999/PN.AB and # 50/Pid.B/1999/PN.AB).
b. Disembowelment of a pregnant Muslim woman. Upon investigation, the name of the woman is Mrs. Maria Serpiela. She is a Christian from the area of Benteng Karang that was slaughtered by way of disembowelment by a group of Muslims from the Leihitu peninsula. This was done during the attacks that lead to the scorching of Christian's villages to the ground near the bay area of Ambon city.
c. Mass slaughtering of 143 Muslims by Christians when in fact the opposite happened. Hundred forty-three Christians were slaughtered. Prior to their slaughtering the victims were placed in a warehouse. The excuse is that were being protected when in fact this is a preparation that will lead to their destruction. After their dead the 143 innocent bodies were placed in two ponds. By the way, the women that were seen as being pretty and attractive were raped before they were slaughtered.
d. It was reported that Christians slaughtered Ms. Marlen Sitanala, a lawyer and professor at the Muslim Institute of Ambon together with her fiance without realizing that Ms.Sitanala is a Christian and lecturer at the University of Pattimura School of Law in Ambon.
e. It was reported that Christians attacked Kariu as one of the Muslim villages in the island of Haruku, when in fact Kariu is a Christian village that was actually attacked by neighboring Muslim villages such as Ori, Pelau, Kabau, and by Muslims that came from Ambon and Seram islands.
f. It was reported that Christians slaughtered Muslims during morning worship at the An Nur mosque at Rinjani village, Ahuru Karang Panjang, Ambon. As a result of this false reporting, Mr.Habibi, the President of Indonesia at that time together with his ministers deliver a strong reaction disapproving that inhumane act. However, the Muslims against the Christians that reside in the village of Ahuru, Karang Panjang, did the actual attack. During the attack, one Muslim man was killed and consistent with their grand plan to provoke the mass, they placed the body of the victim in the An Nur mosque in Ahuru.
The Indonesian government ignored several reports with the purpose to provoke the mass. They fail to enforce the law. In fact they create a situation that made it possible for this turbulence to continue indefinitely.
Several incidents of terror and violations of human rights committed in Maluku by the Indonesian government were so far ignored by the International community. In our opinion, the international community is being unjust in their acquiescence of this human tragedy. However people that live in certain part of this world received special treatment from the international community. The Antabua incident resulted in the death of four United Nations workers. This became the focus of the International community, yet their response toward the Moluccas is just the opposite. The international communities even go to the extent of providing a variety of financial aid programs to the government of Indonesia despite numerous human rights violations committed by Indonesia. The government of Indonesia to finance her military for the purpose of completing their grand scheme, "The Final Solution", to annihilate the people of Maluku, in turn used these financial aids.
The hardship experienced by the Moluccan people as a result of the Indonesian aggression do not just happen since 1999 until this present time (early 2001). Since the Moluccan people declare their independence on April 25, 1950 by forming the Republic of South Moluccas (RMS- Republik Maluku Selatan), Indonesia was already actively planning to use aggression to annex Maluku, thereby disrespecting and violating the sovereignty of the Moluccan people. Since then Indonesia continue to commit atrocities and violation of human rights in the Moluccas. To cover up their illegal and dirty act, Indonesia continue to use the term "domestic issue" and to label RMS as a separatist group thus precluding the international community from intervening in this "State Sponsored Genocide" and "Ethnic Cleansing" in the Moluccas. Meddling that means interfering with the territorial integrity of Indonesia. Hence, the international community is expected to blind itself if it comes to the destruction of a sovereign Maluku and its people that till today continue to face hardship. In order to uphold the Rule of Law, we strongly urged that the perpetrators that are responsible in these horrible crimes against the Moluccan people would be brought to justice by way of an international tribunal a la the Nuremberg trials.
Although by no means is this an exhaustive list, but this list should include the following people:
Former president Soeharto and Habibi; the current president Abdurahman Wahid; generals Wiranto, Djaja Suparman, Suadi Marasabessy, Sudi Silalahi, Hendropriyono, Rustam Kastor, Max Tamaela, I Made Yasa, Firman Ghani, Yong Mardinal; Chairman of the People Consultive Assembly- Prof. Dr. Amien Rais; governor Saleh Latuconsina; foreign minister Alwi Shihab; Al- Chaidar, former minister of Youth & Sports, Abdul Gafur; Colonels Budiatmo & Nano Sutarno; executive members of ICMI, KISDI, and Barito Pacific group; Etty Sahuburua, chairman of Moluccan council, and last but not least the leader of the vigilante jihad forces himself, Jafar Umar Thalib.
The Republik Maluku Selatan is a sovereign country, satisfied legitimate criteria as possessed by other legitimate countries on this earth, have a people, possess a government, possess a territory that is now illegally occupied by Indonesia, have established laws and rules, have an international relation wit other countries, and is recognized by the United Nations. The Declaration of Independence by RMS was done through fair representation through the South Moluccan Council and agreed upon through the Linggar Jati Agreement, Renville, and Meja Bundar agreement involving the United Nations and the government of the Netherlands. During the formation of the United States of Indonesia, the then Republik Indonesia or Yogya completely ignored the agreement stated during the forming of United States of Indonesia, namely, the right of self-determination of the states including Maluku. (article 2b & c and article 189 of the existing constitution. Beside all this existing laws that point toward the legitimate position of RMS as a sovereign country, it should also be noted that from a historical and cultural perspective Maluku as an "Alif Uru" nation never belong and was never a part of what is known now as Indonesia (Negara Kesatuan Republik Indonesia).
In an effort to reclaim the return of the Moluccan sovereignty (RMS) therefore theFront Kedaulatan Maluku (FKM) was established in Ambon city, Maluku with representatives in the US (Los Angeles, Washington, and New York), as well Europe and Jakarta. Moluccans living abroad can observe growing support in Maluku, and other parts of the world. However, this support won't have a significant impact unless the world communities remain silent in this struggle to reclaim our sovereignty that was illegally taken by Indonesia. The world community is urge to become a facilitator and an agent of justice so the return of our sovereignty can be realized as soon as possible. However, in the absence of international support, there is a great probability that people of Maluku will experience continuous hardship due to Indonesian aggression as exemplified by the presence of 26 battalions in Maluku and so many policemen that were stationed to facilitate the Indonesian colonizers indefinite stay in the Moluccas. Eventually the Moluccan people will be fossilized!
After FKM together with the Moluccan people declare its intention to fight for the return of the sovereignty illegally taken by the then Republik of Indonesia, the Indonesian colonizers decided to arrest the Chairman of FKM and search his home. Intensive enquiry was also done on the other signatories of the FKM declaration. The result of the enquiry showed the police have no legal base to take it to the courts, because what is being demanded by FKM is something that honest, true, and just. This act showed that the Indonesian government is trying to do the right thing toward the FKM case. But that does not mean that case has been resolved. The experience by the people of East Timor should be use as a guide in taking steps toward the return of Maluku's sovereignty.
G. For 51 years we as Moluccans were denied our "Constitutional Rights". They are as follows:
a. The Right to Speak Our Mind better known as Freedom of Expression. A conspicuous example is when the Moluccan people under the coordination of FKM express their desire to raise our flag on April 25, 2001, the proclamation of Moluccan Independence. The Indonesian police brought down the flag. A police that belong to government occupiers that knowingly invaded us and then annexed us illegally up till this day. At the time this report is written, the FKM executive Chairman, dr. Alex Manuputty was just arrested on April 26, 2001; one day after our day of Independence.
b. The Right to Worship as You Believe or "Freedom of Religion." More than 6000 Christians were forced to convert to Islam. Reports were written saying that men and women were circumcised by force. The oldest man and women was 92 and 82 respectively. Even pregnant women were circumcised by force. No medicine was administered. This practice led to worst kind of infection suffered by the victims.
c. The right to be treated equally and fairly. This is expected. As long as we are committed to mediocrity we will always occupy a subservient role. However, we should commit ourselves to excellence and in turn excellence should serve as a fuel to motivate us to fight for the liberation of our people. Why Mingle with Mediocrity (NKRI) When You Can Soar With Excellence (Free & Sovereign Maluku)!!!
All the abuses leveled upon us by the evil government of Indonesia now come to haunt them. The RMS movement now became a Boomerang for Indonesia. Like a "Phoenix" the RMS movement rose from the ashes with renewed strength to live through another cycle and now serve as a symbol of hope and rebirth to those long forgotten unalienable rights granted by our Creator. The right to a Decent Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness. Such a symbol is a fitting reminder of the circumstances under which FKM was born, as well as our ability to provide a renewed functionality and capability to the Moluccan people. The Phoenix is always depicted as a proud bird, confident in itself and its abilities. It is a symbol with which we are proud to be associated, and have adopted as our own The symbol of the undaunted Phoenix rising out of the flames to face new challenges, demonstrates the commitment to excellence and perseverance, which is at the very core of FKM daily activities. In connection with that commitment, several demands are requested by FKM to the international community.
They are as follows:
1. To promptly dispatch the International Peace Keeping Force to Maluku, and pressure Indonesia to pull out their military and police forces from Maluku.
2. To halt all types of international assistance toward Indonesia until Indonesia recognizes and agree to return the Moluccan sovereignty in a peaceful manner.
3. To pressure Indonesia to sit together with FKM and meet in a neutral country in order to discuss the return of the RMS sovereignty.
4. The United Nations Security Council should in a speedy manner take over the mechanism of government, so together with FKM it can formulate and to take steps that is necessary in order to have a new and effective government and steps that insure safety for the Moluccan people.
5. To process the people responsible in the crimes and violations of human rights in Maluku since 1950 up to the present time to face justice at the international tribunal. The partial list of the alleged perpetrators was given on page 6 of this report.
In a period of 4 months FKM did more things for the Moluccas compare to what NKRI did in 50years. If Latuconsina chooses to be Indonesian let him. It's indeed his prerogative and choice. My family and I choose to bake my own cake comprised of ingredients called Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness and last but not least Brotherhood called Pela-Gandung.
If we run the Moluccas based on correct principals and not a fantasy such as Pancasalah, we will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.
So why not create and live the life of our dreams? A famous martial artist by the name of Bruce Lee offers his following admonition: "It's not enough to know, one must become!" But how? By flying in V-formation! Next fall when you see geese heading south for the winter, flying in V-formation, consider what science has discovered about why they fly that way:
As each bird flaps its wings, it creates uplift for the bird immediately following. By flying in V-formation, the whole flock adds at least seventy one percent greater flying range than if each bird flew on its own. People who share a common direction and a sense of community can get where they are going more quickly and easily because they are traveling on the thrust of one another. When a goose falls out of formation, it suddenly feels the drag and resistance of trying to go it alone and quickly gets back in formation to take advantage of the lifting power of the bird in front. Therefore, if we have as much sense as a goose we will stay in formation with those who are headed the same way we are. When the head goose gets tired, it rotates back in the wing and another goose flies point. It is sensible to take turns doing demanding jobs with people or with geese flying south. Geese honk from behind to encourage those up front to keep up their speed. What do we say when we honk from behind?
Finally -and this is important- when a goose gets sick or is wounded by gunshots and falls out of formation, two other geese fall out with that goose and follow it down to provide help and protection. They stay with the fallen goose until it is able to fly, or until it dies; only then they set out on their own or with another formation to catch up with their group. If we have the same sense of a goose, we will stand by each other like that.
As we look ahead towards our future as a people, a famous general again reminds us. His name is Gen. Patton. He stated: "We will win because we will never lose! There can never be defeat if a man refuses to accept defeat. Wars are lost in the mind before they are lost on the ground. No nation was ever defeated until the people were willing to accept defeat."
Washington DC
April 28, 2001
Helmi Wattimena
Chairman FKM-USA
Under the auspices of the United Nations the Right to self-determination has been granted and guaranteed to the PEOPLES of the Indonesian Archipelago in the Round Table Conference Agreements of December 27th 1949.
Immediately after the transfer of Sovereignty by the Kingdom of the Netherlands to the Republic of the UNITED STATES OF INDONESIA, one of the component states, the Republic of Indonesia the capital of which at that time was Djocjakarta, with the purpose of transforming the federal structure of the UNITED STATES OF INDONESIA into a unitarian state called the Republic of Indonesia, started to liquidate and to annex the fifteen other component states by means of intimidation, infiltration and use of armed force.+++
When in April 1950 the forces of the Republic of Indonesia invaded the component state of East Indonesia the capital of which was Makassar, the Council of the South Moluccas***, backed by the people, making use of their Right to withdraw from the component state of East Indonesia and of their Right to self-determination, on April 25,1950 proclaimed the Independent and Sovereign Republic of the South Moluccas.
Although the people and their Council had thus acted within their rights, the Republic was invaded by the troops of the Republic of Indonesia and a long and cruel war ensued.
I am sending this appeal to you from Ceram, the largest island of the republic of the South Moluccas where the Government and the Army of the Republic have been fighting successfully during four years and where they will fight on until the whole territory of their Republic is liberated.
I appeal to you, assembled in Geneva especially to establish Peace and Order in Asia, with the urgent request to see to it that the obligations, undertaken under the responsibility of the United Nations, be met and the Right granted to our people and guaranteed by the Free Nations of the World be implemented, so that Peace and Order be restored in this part of South East Asia.
In the name of two million South Moluccans I express my confidence by your constructive action during this conference the rightful aspiration of the South Moluccan people will be made true.
Tiang Bandera - Ceram
MENA-MURIA
The President of the Republic of the South Moluccas, Dr. Chr. R. S. Soumokil
Dr. Soumokil's letter clearly illustrated the following points:
A. *** The elimination of federal states by means of terror, intimidation, and the force of arms by the Indonesian leaders tactlessly ignored important political decisions, such as the one taken by the South Moluccan Council on March 11th, 1947, to join the federal state of East Indonesia conditionally, that is to say: without prejudice to their right to withdraw from the "federal state" in case the interest of the South Moluccans should be insufficiently taken into account. This decision together with the other treaties spelled out in the Linggarjati, Renville, and Round Table agreements served as the legal bedrocks that will protect the South-Moluccans forever from such injustices committed by the government of Indonesia.
B. +++ Unlike the other fifteen component states, the South-Moluccan Council in their capacity as the representative of the people and in this regard will have a profound impact on the destiny of its people in whatever decision it deems to make. In this case the Council act prudently. It makes sure that when one entered into a transaction whether it's business, economic or a political, it needs to make sure that it will serve to protect one's interest. Therefore the Council entered into a contract with strings attached. These strings are better known as contingencies, conditions, an escape clause or within the context of a marriage they called it a "Pre-nuptial Agreement." In this particular case the condition is Loud & Clear: The South Moluccas has the right to secede should the federal state of East Indonesia fail to pay due regard to the interest of the South Moluccas. In other words the South-Moluccas has the right to withdraw from the federal state of East Indonesia should there be a violation of the contract (breech of contract).
This breech of contract became obvious when the then Republic of Indonesia which is one of the component states of the United States of Indonesia went ahead with their plan to annex all the other states illegally. As a consequence the South-Moluccan Council went ahead to exercise the "escape clause" legally given to them and proclaim the South-Moluccas Independence on April 25, 1950; approximately 4 months ahead before NKRI proclaim their own on August 17, 1950. Note: The proclamation of August 17, 1945 did not include the other 15 component states. It was limited to only Java, Madura, and Sumatra.
C. This point has to do with our "Dignity" and self-respect as Moluccans. There is something deep in the heart of every man and woman that is important and demands respect. Every human being is unique, individual personality, and the most powerful drive in any person is to maintain this individuality, to defend this important something against all enemies. This is why you cannot treat people as machines, as numbers on a register, or as "masses," and get by with it. Every effort that has been made to deprive human being of this individual worth has failed. It is more powerful than the armies and prison camps. It proved more powerful than the feudal lords who tried to turn people into serfs. It proved more powerful than Hitler's armies. And it set the stage of our own "land of the free"; for the Moluccan Declaration of Independence, is really a declaration of independence for the individual. It derives its power not because it sets out certain rights for a certain group of men, but from the fact that it proclaims certain unalienable rights for "all men." Hence, April 25 is a day where we reconfirm our "dignity" as a people. A dignity that can't never be taken away regardless of the consequences. Nothing can tame a flaming heart.
D. As I've stated before, life can be a rocky road. We as a people have suffered the last 474 years, because others, like a partridge that hatches eggs it did not lay, those who like to gain riches by unjust means continue to prevent us from becoming the people God destined us to be. Therefore we should become the creator of our own destiny. Otherwise others will decide that for us. The key is to not allow those bumpy roads grind us into dust, but instead to polish us into a brilliant gem. To serve us as a guide we need to refer to the famous U.S. Declaration of Independence and its chief author, President Thomas Jefferson. It goes as follows: When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation. We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.
E. Are we suppose to believe and listen the opinion of Saleh Latuconsina, a man that is known to have friendly meetings with the vigilante Jihad and a supporter of Pancasila? This man can't even think accurately. Inaccurate thinking is the major cause as to why Moluccans up till now have not enjoyed a Decent Life, Liberty, and the Chance to the Pursuit of Happiness. To rely on Pancasila is like a man trying to go up the ladder thinking he is going to the top, not knowing that he placed his ladder on the wrong wall. The wall will soon crumble. Let's see if this wall called Pancasila is strong. What happen with humanity or worthiness of human being called Perikemanusiaan and Social Justice or Keadilan Social? Do we as Moluccans ever experience these? What happen with the believe in God? Must we all be forced to become Muslims? Can't we just choose whether we want to be a Muslim, Christian, Buddha, Atheist, or Agnostic on our own free will? As you can see this wall is but a fantasy. Given that Gus Dur is a good man, is there any guarantee that we will be safe after he is gone? At this point in time there is no such thing as a Manusia Pancasila" that I see exist in Indonesia. If there are some they have no power to have any impact on the Moluccan case. I believe FKM is on the right tract when it demanded the return of the Moluccan sovereignty that was brutally taken away by Soekarno in the 50's. Regardless what Gus Dur will do or not do, the Moluccan people are convinced that they will never enjoy a Decent Life, Liberty, and a chance to Pursue Happiness. These three unalienable rights are precisely the walls that the Moluccans should lean on, and FKM is the only grass roots movement or movement of the people, by the people and for the people.
The mission and vision of FKM is as follows:
1. To create a Moluccan society where every Moluccan citizen will have a chance to have a Decent Life, Liberty, and a Chance to Pursue Happiness.
2. To bring all the perpetrators of the Moluccan tragedy to the International Court for crimes against Humanity. This list had been posted in the past and will be post it again to alert the world that we will never forget this conspiracy to fossilize our people. We will make sure that the world will never forget this crime against humanity committed by the NKRI.
3. To teach every single Moluccan from the age of 9 to 92 the true history of the Moluccan people and make them realize that our independence was declared on April 25, 1950, not August 17,1945(Republic Jogja) or 1950(R.I.Serikat). As you can clearly see Latoconsina does not represent the grassroots movement as is the case with FKM.
F. We as Moluccans were denied our Human Rights or for practical purposes our Civil Rights. Several examples came to mind. They were as follows:
Within a period of only two years, more than 15,000 people lost their lives, hundred thousands of people lost their homes and are currently roaming in the jungles without us knowing their where about, thousands of people became handicapped for the rest of their lives. Hundred three (103) Christian villages, hundred seventy-three (173) Christian congregation, one Moslem village, and several Moslem neighborhoods were completely destroyed. Cultural values that placed a high value on inter-religious tolerance, inter-customary tolerance, and other forms of tolerance were virtually destroyed overnight. Clear examples of tolerance can be seen when people of Muslim villages were obligated to assist in the building of churches, and people of Christian villages must help in the building of mosques. A phenomenon that exist since thousands years ago. This tradition even became an example of religious tolerance for other regions in Indonesia. The Indonesian government then alleged that the conflict instead was characterized by a nuance of SARA (Suku or ethnic, Agama or religion, Ras or racial, and Antar-golongan or inter-group); with the purpose of blaming the average person that did not quite understand the reason and purpose of this conflict, so the perpetrators of this conflict based in Jakarta will remain unscathed from all their wrong doings.
With the leadership of a new President in the United States, George W. Bush, we expect a greater degree of concern on the part of the international community in general and America in particular towards the plight of the Moluccan people. There seems to be indications of this concern when Mr.Bush in his inaugural address stated the following: Many in our country do not know the pain of poverty, but we can listen to those who do. And I can pledge our nation to a goal: When we see that wounded traveler on the road to Jericho, we will not pass to the other side. Abandonment and abuse are not acts of God; they are failures of love. America, at its best, is compassionate. We will confront weapons of mass destructions, so that a new century is spared new horrors. The enemies of liberty and our country should make no mistake: America remains engage in the world by history and by choice, shaping a balance of power that favors freedom. We will meet aggression and bad faith with resolve and strength.
And to all nations, we will speak for the values that gave our nation birth. The new Secretary of State, Gen. Colin Powell when he stated that America wouldn't allow weapons of mass destruction annihilate our children, confirmed this sentiment.
Several human rights violations and lack of respect for the rule of law that went beyond one's wild expectations continue to happen. They were as follows:
1. Planned attacks on villages in remote islands as well as the ones in areas that can easily be monitored by the international community. This was done with sophisticated weaponry such as rocket launchers, automatic and assault weapons as well as traditional weapons.
2. The act of expelling or to drive out by force people from their land, land that was owned and hand downed by their fore fathers. These legal owners were chased out by force and as a consequence have to escape into the jungle in order to save their own lives. The ones that were captured by the vigilante Jihad forces must face the consequence of simultaneously forced conversion into Islam and circumcision or face dead.
3. Destruction of educational facilities such as universities, elementary, middle, and high schools, as well as house of worships and general facilities. As a consequence, the majority of the children lost their opportunity to obtain an education. Hence, the children will never see a promising future if this problem is not corrected soon. We just can't imagine how the vigilante Jihad forces with the support of the military (TNI) and the police (POLRI) have the audacity to destroy the University of Pattimura, Indonesian Christian University of Maluku (UKIM) and others. Through these brutal acts the government of Indonesia is planning to systematically destroy the intellectual development of future generations of Moluccans.
4. Up till this moment we still have no idea to the where about of the inhabitants of nine (9) Christian villages in Tehoru and Werinama at the island of Seram. Since the attack on December '99 until February 2000, we were able to confirm the condition of people living in the 36 out of 38 villages. They no longer live in their villages. Instead they are roaming in the jungles so they can remain save from the attacks of the vigilantes Jihad forces.
5.Repeated looting, mass killing and slaughtering of the Moluccan people. For example 143 people were slaughtered and simultaneously buried in one graveyard.
These repeated violations of human rights principals and lack of respect for the rule of law led to a deep-seated fear in the community as well as a lost of confidence in the military, police, and the government of Indonesia.
One may ask, "What is the cause of this human tragedy? " Several studies and analysis done by independent researches lead to the conclusion that can be described as follows: The Indonesian government collaborated with the military and police and using the Jihad forces to conspire in the destruction of the Moluccan people. In other words, what happens in the Moluccan islands is the result of State Sponsored Genocide similar to when Hitler massacred the Jews; State Violence leveled upon them as his Final Solution for the Jews.
Imagine the military (TNI) and the police (POLRI) conspire to drive us to the sea and try to wipe us out of our sacred land are given a license to commit ethnic cleansing sponsored by the State?
How much compensation do you think ought to be paid to the Moluccan people who were raped emotionally, financially, culturally, economically for more than 50 years by the government of Indonesia? What would you want for their sons and daughters if they had been raped even once?
Just imagine; what would you have done if a stranger forced him self into your home; raped and killed your wife and children in front of your own eyes, then they tell you that they are going to spare you, because they want you to suffer for the rest of your life?
The Indonesian government failed to uphold her responsibility to protect her so called citizens according to the Indonesian Constitution of 1945- UUD 1945(The Moluccan people were forced to become Indonesian citizen because the then Republic of Indonesia illegally annexed Maluku. (See point 1 & 2 mentioned above)
Numerous evidence points to the fact that the Indonesian government is indeed the cause of unrest and violence in the Moluccas. They are as follows:
1.The government of Indonesia act as a facilitator that in turn make it possible for the vigilante Jihad forces to enter the Moluccan islands. There they were given a license to kill, torture and force Christians to convert to Islam. So far our people have been slaughtered and many disemboweled, many communities in the islands have been scorch to the ground, people are driven away from their land, thousands of homeless people as well as orphans, more than 1000 churches have been burned.
2.The vigilante Jihad forces came into the picture as a result of provocation by Prof. Dr. Amien Rais, Chairman of the People Consultative Assembly (MPR). Can you imagine someone that supposedly represents the people commit such brutal act? It is obvious; that this is another evidence of a State Sponsored Genocide committed by the government of Indonesia leveled upon the Moluccan people. The fact that the Jihad forces engage themselves in planned activities to annihilate the Moluccan population, to exhibit their plan of aggression in front of the Presidential palace complete with their illegal weapons in hand, should be enough reasons for the government to take action and arrest the perpetrators. However, no action was taken. In fact these vigilantes were allowed to use the state owned ship (PELNI) to transport these people to Maluku.
Our data updated through Nov 30, 2000 showed the presence of 14,617 vigilantes in Maluku.
3. The Indonesian government allowed these vigilante forces to supply guns to Maluku using containers transported by ship. When these containers arrive in Ambon, these supply of guns were not confiscated. As a result these vigilantes could freely use these guns to annihilate our people.
4. The military and police were actively engaged in planned attacks of Christian villages and then slaughter them. This was done openly and in some cases done in a subtle manner. Military ranks involved range anywhere from the rank of Brigadier General, Colonel, Lieutenant Colonel (Commando Leaders), as well as low ranking soldiers in the field.
One interesting observation, is that areas where the military and police stationed usually became fertile grounds of unrest.
5. The government of Indonesia fails to stop plans of force religious conversion into Islam. Even after numerous reports by the media regarding forced conversion of one's religion, the government remains silent. In fact they will accuse those who report these incidents as those who perpetrate lies and provocations. After world wide reporting of the incident at the island of Kesui in East Seram, and after strong reaction by the international community finally the Indonesian government decided to take a stand, although this is done in a dishonest way using tactics with the purpose of pacifying the world community, when in fact nothing was done about it.
6. The Indonesian government failed to alleviate the unrest. The reconciliation effort implemented so far was only used to obtain financial support from the international community. This support in turn was used to arm the military and the vigilante jihad forces to annihilate the Moluccan people.
7. Strong allegations point to the presence of international terrorism from the Middle East and alleged assistance in the supply of fezzes and prayer mats from Kuwait as an effort of forced Islamization. This was widely reported by the media, but there was no response whatsoever from the government.
Misrepresentation of facts that were used as a tool to provoke the mass. In this case the government neither prevent nor clarify the actual facts. They are as follows:
a. It was reported that the root cause of the Moluccan unrest is due to Christians slaughtering the Muslim on solat Ied (Morning prayer on Muslim's Idhul Fitri) However the actual cause of the conflict happen when at 4.45 pm a group of Muslim youth from South Sulawesi with a plan to provoke attempt to extort money from a transportation driver who happen to be a Christian. This bad intention that is planned a head of time and known as Tim Advokasi Lebaran Berdarah and Posko Lebaran Berdarah established on January 6, 1999. This group was the one that engineered the conflict that occur on Jan 19, 1999. This incident was properly documented by the courts (decision #: 34/Pid.B/1999/PN.AB and # 50/Pid.B/1999/PN.AB).
b. Disembowelment of a pregnant Muslim woman. Upon investigation, the name of the woman is Mrs. Maria Serpiela. She is a Christian from the area of Benteng Karang that was slaughtered by way of disembowelment by a group of Muslims from the Leihitu peninsula. This was done during the attacks that lead to the scorching of Christian's villages to the ground near the bay area of Ambon city.
c. Mass slaughtering of 143 Muslims by Christians when in fact the opposite happened. Hundred forty-three Christians were slaughtered. Prior to their slaughtering the victims were placed in a warehouse. The excuse is that were being protected when in fact this is a preparation that will lead to their destruction. After their dead the 143 innocent bodies were placed in two ponds. By the way, the women that were seen as being pretty and attractive were raped before they were slaughtered.
d. It was reported that Christians slaughtered Ms. Marlen Sitanala, a lawyer and professor at the Muslim Institute of Ambon together with her fiance without realizing that Ms.Sitanala is a Christian and lecturer at the University of Pattimura School of Law in Ambon.
e. It was reported that Christians attacked Kariu as one of the Muslim villages in the island of Haruku, when in fact Kariu is a Christian village that was actually attacked by neighboring Muslim villages such as Ori, Pelau, Kabau, and by Muslims that came from Ambon and Seram islands.
f. It was reported that Christians slaughtered Muslims during morning worship at the An Nur mosque at Rinjani village, Ahuru Karang Panjang, Ambon. As a result of this false reporting, Mr.Habibi, the President of Indonesia at that time together with his ministers deliver a strong reaction disapproving that inhumane act. However, the Muslims against the Christians that reside in the village of Ahuru, Karang Panjang, did the actual attack. During the attack, one Muslim man was killed and consistent with their grand plan to provoke the mass, they placed the body of the victim in the An Nur mosque in Ahuru.
The Indonesian government ignored several reports with the purpose to provoke the mass. They fail to enforce the law. In fact they create a situation that made it possible for this turbulence to continue indefinitely.
Several incidents of terror and violations of human rights committed in Maluku by the Indonesian government were so far ignored by the International community. In our opinion, the international community is being unjust in their acquiescence of this human tragedy. However people that live in certain part of this world received special treatment from the international community. The Antabua incident resulted in the death of four United Nations workers. This became the focus of the International community, yet their response toward the Moluccas is just the opposite. The international communities even go to the extent of providing a variety of financial aid programs to the government of Indonesia despite numerous human rights violations committed by Indonesia. The government of Indonesia to finance her military for the purpose of completing their grand scheme, "The Final Solution", to annihilate the people of Maluku, in turn used these financial aids.
The hardship experienced by the Moluccan people as a result of the Indonesian aggression do not just happen since 1999 until this present time (early 2001). Since the Moluccan people declare their independence on April 25, 1950 by forming the Republic of South Moluccas (RMS- Republik Maluku Selatan), Indonesia was already actively planning to use aggression to annex Maluku, thereby disrespecting and violating the sovereignty of the Moluccan people. Since then Indonesia continue to commit atrocities and violation of human rights in the Moluccas. To cover up their illegal and dirty act, Indonesia continue to use the term "domestic issue" and to label RMS as a separatist group thus precluding the international community from intervening in this "State Sponsored Genocide" and "Ethnic Cleansing" in the Moluccas. Meddling that means interfering with the territorial integrity of Indonesia. Hence, the international community is expected to blind itself if it comes to the destruction of a sovereign Maluku and its people that till today continue to face hardship. In order to uphold the Rule of Law, we strongly urged that the perpetrators that are responsible in these horrible crimes against the Moluccan people would be brought to justice by way of an international tribunal a la the Nuremberg trials.
Although by no means is this an exhaustive list, but this list should include the following people:
Former president Soeharto and Habibi; the current president Abdurahman Wahid; generals Wiranto, Djaja Suparman, Suadi Marasabessy, Sudi Silalahi, Hendropriyono, Rustam Kastor, Max Tamaela, I Made Yasa, Firman Ghani, Yong Mardinal; Chairman of the People Consultive Assembly- Prof. Dr. Amien Rais; governor Saleh Latuconsina; foreign minister Alwi Shihab; Al- Chaidar, former minister of Youth & Sports, Abdul Gafur; Colonels Budiatmo & Nano Sutarno; executive members of ICMI, KISDI, and Barito Pacific group; Etty Sahuburua, chairman of Moluccan council, and last but not least the leader of the vigilante jihad forces himself, Jafar Umar Thalib.
The Republik Maluku Selatan is a sovereign country, satisfied legitimate criteria as possessed by other legitimate countries on this earth, have a people, possess a government, possess a territory that is now illegally occupied by Indonesia, have established laws and rules, have an international relation wit other countries, and is recognized by the United Nations. The Declaration of Independence by RMS was done through fair representation through the South Moluccan Council and agreed upon through the Linggar Jati Agreement, Renville, and Meja Bundar agreement involving the United Nations and the government of the Netherlands. During the formation of the United States of Indonesia, the then Republik Indonesia or Yogya completely ignored the agreement stated during the forming of United States of Indonesia, namely, the right of self-determination of the states including Maluku. (article 2b & c and article 189 of the existing constitution. Beside all this existing laws that point toward the legitimate position of RMS as a sovereign country, it should also be noted that from a historical and cultural perspective Maluku as an "Alif Uru" nation never belong and was never a part of what is known now as Indonesia (Negara Kesatuan Republik Indonesia).
In an effort to reclaim the return of the Moluccan sovereignty (RMS) therefore theFront Kedaulatan Maluku (FKM) was established in Ambon city, Maluku with representatives in the US (Los Angeles, Washington, and New York), as well Europe and Jakarta. Moluccans living abroad can observe growing support in Maluku, and other parts of the world. However, this support won't have a significant impact unless the world communities remain silent in this struggle to reclaim our sovereignty that was illegally taken by Indonesia. The world community is urge to become a facilitator and an agent of justice so the return of our sovereignty can be realized as soon as possible. However, in the absence of international support, there is a great probability that people of Maluku will experience continuous hardship due to Indonesian aggression as exemplified by the presence of 26 battalions in Maluku and so many policemen that were stationed to facilitate the Indonesian colonizers indefinite stay in the Moluccas. Eventually the Moluccan people will be fossilized!
After FKM together with the Moluccan people declare its intention to fight for the return of the sovereignty illegally taken by the then Republik of Indonesia, the Indonesian colonizers decided to arrest the Chairman of FKM and search his home. Intensive enquiry was also done on the other signatories of the FKM declaration. The result of the enquiry showed the police have no legal base to take it to the courts, because what is being demanded by FKM is something that honest, true, and just. This act showed that the Indonesian government is trying to do the right thing toward the FKM case. But that does not mean that case has been resolved. The experience by the people of East Timor should be use as a guide in taking steps toward the return of Maluku's sovereignty.
G. For 51 years we as Moluccans were denied our "Constitutional Rights". They are as follows:
a. The Right to Speak Our Mind better known as Freedom of Expression. A conspicuous example is when the Moluccan people under the coordination of FKM express their desire to raise our flag on April 25, 2001, the proclamation of Moluccan Independence. The Indonesian police brought down the flag. A police that belong to government occupiers that knowingly invaded us and then annexed us illegally up till this day. At the time this report is written, the FKM executive Chairman, dr. Alex Manuputty was just arrested on April 26, 2001; one day after our day of Independence.
b. The Right to Worship as You Believe or "Freedom of Religion." More than 6000 Christians were forced to convert to Islam. Reports were written saying that men and women were circumcised by force. The oldest man and women was 92 and 82 respectively. Even pregnant women were circumcised by force. No medicine was administered. This practice led to worst kind of infection suffered by the victims.
c. The right to be treated equally and fairly. This is expected. As long as we are committed to mediocrity we will always occupy a subservient role. However, we should commit ourselves to excellence and in turn excellence should serve as a fuel to motivate us to fight for the liberation of our people. Why Mingle with Mediocrity (NKRI) When You Can Soar With Excellence (Free & Sovereign Maluku)!!!
All the abuses leveled upon us by the evil government of Indonesia now come to haunt them. The RMS movement now became a Boomerang for Indonesia. Like a "Phoenix" the RMS movement rose from the ashes with renewed strength to live through another cycle and now serve as a symbol of hope and rebirth to those long forgotten unalienable rights granted by our Creator. The right to a Decent Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness. Such a symbol is a fitting reminder of the circumstances under which FKM was born, as well as our ability to provide a renewed functionality and capability to the Moluccan people. The Phoenix is always depicted as a proud bird, confident in itself and its abilities. It is a symbol with which we are proud to be associated, and have adopted as our own The symbol of the undaunted Phoenix rising out of the flames to face new challenges, demonstrates the commitment to excellence and perseverance, which is at the very core of FKM daily activities. In connection with that commitment, several demands are requested by FKM to the international community.
They are as follows:
1. To promptly dispatch the International Peace Keeping Force to Maluku, and pressure Indonesia to pull out their military and police forces from Maluku.
2. To halt all types of international assistance toward Indonesia until Indonesia recognizes and agree to return the Moluccan sovereignty in a peaceful manner.
3. To pressure Indonesia to sit together with FKM and meet in a neutral country in order to discuss the return of the RMS sovereignty.
4. The United Nations Security Council should in a speedy manner take over the mechanism of government, so together with FKM it can formulate and to take steps that is necessary in order to have a new and effective government and steps that insure safety for the Moluccan people.
5. To process the people responsible in the crimes and violations of human rights in Maluku since 1950 up to the present time to face justice at the international tribunal. The partial list of the alleged perpetrators was given on page 6 of this report.
In a period of 4 months FKM did more things for the Moluccas compare to what NKRI did in 50years. If Latuconsina chooses to be Indonesian let him. It's indeed his prerogative and choice. My family and I choose to bake my own cake comprised of ingredients called Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness and last but not least Brotherhood called Pela-Gandung.
If we run the Moluccas based on correct principals and not a fantasy such as Pancasalah, we will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.
So why not create and live the life of our dreams? A famous martial artist by the name of Bruce Lee offers his following admonition: "It's not enough to know, one must become!" But how? By flying in V-formation! Next fall when you see geese heading south for the winter, flying in V-formation, consider what science has discovered about why they fly that way:
As each bird flaps its wings, it creates uplift for the bird immediately following. By flying in V-formation, the whole flock adds at least seventy one percent greater flying range than if each bird flew on its own. People who share a common direction and a sense of community can get where they are going more quickly and easily because they are traveling on the thrust of one another. When a goose falls out of formation, it suddenly feels the drag and resistance of trying to go it alone and quickly gets back in formation to take advantage of the lifting power of the bird in front. Therefore, if we have as much sense as a goose we will stay in formation with those who are headed the same way we are. When the head goose gets tired, it rotates back in the wing and another goose flies point. It is sensible to take turns doing demanding jobs with people or with geese flying south. Geese honk from behind to encourage those up front to keep up their speed. What do we say when we honk from behind?
Finally -and this is important- when a goose gets sick or is wounded by gunshots and falls out of formation, two other geese fall out with that goose and follow it down to provide help and protection. They stay with the fallen goose until it is able to fly, or until it dies; only then they set out on their own or with another formation to catch up with their group. If we have the same sense of a goose, we will stand by each other like that.
As we look ahead towards our future as a people, a famous general again reminds us. His name is Gen. Patton. He stated: "We will win because we will never lose! There can never be defeat if a man refuses to accept defeat. Wars are lost in the mind before they are lost on the ground. No nation was ever defeated until the people were willing to accept defeat."
Washington DC
April 28, 2001
Helmi Wattimena
Chairman FKM-USA
On April 12, 1966, at 01.00 AM Mr. Dr. Chr. R. S. Soumokil, President of the Republic of the South Moluccas (RMS) had been taken by the Indonesian Military from the condemned cell and transferred by
motorboat to the island Obi in the archipelago Pulau Seribu (= thousand islands) at the north-west of the bay of Jakarta to be executed. Before the execution, Mr. Dr. Soumokil was given the opportunity to have a last prayer and Bible reading. The army-chaplain Souisa prayed and read a piece from the Bible for Mr. Dr. Soumokil. On April 12, 1966, one minute before 07.00am, Mr. Dr. Soumokil gave his last breath. He had been shot by the Indonesian firing-squad.
motorboat to the island Obi in the archipelago Pulau Seribu (= thousand islands) at the north-west of the bay of Jakarta to be executed. Before the execution, Mr. Dr. Soumokil was given the opportunity to have a last prayer and Bible reading. The army-chaplain Souisa prayed and read a piece from the Bible for Mr. Dr. Soumokil. On April 12, 1966, one minute before 07.00am, Mr. Dr. Soumokil gave his last breath. He had been shot by the Indonesian firing-squad.
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