Security Situation in Ambon Back to Stable

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - Security situation in eastern Indonesian city of Ambon after Sunday’s communal conflicts has returned to normal and conducive, National Police (Polri) spokesman Insp Gen Anton Bahrul Alam said here on Monday.

"The security condition has come under control as of Sunday night and returned to normal on Monday morning," Anton said.

According to him, the conducive situation was the result of better coordination among council for provincial and lower level government officials, religious figures, community figures, and youth leaders.

"Today they meet again to make further evaluation to the security situation, and in principle the National Police Headquarters support the move," Anton said.

He reiterated that a total of 200 police personnel from Makassar, South Sulawesi, had been sent to Ambon to help maintain security after the communal clash broke out. Anton said Polri sent 200 police personnel from Makassar to Ambon because the South Sulawesi provincial capital city is geographically near to Maluku.

He said that police, military, the governor, community leaders and religious leaders in Ambon have been coordinated to help calm down the situation after the outbreak of the conflict. Meanwhile, National Police Chief Gen Timur Pradopo said at Merdeda Palace on Monday that an additional 400 police personnel has also been sent and arrived in Ambon at 4 on Monday morning.

"We increase the number of police personnel assigned to Ambon," Pradopo said, adding that 400 police personnel arrived in Ambon early Monday morning to help prevent Sunday’s bloody clash from spreading.

He said the police was ready to increase their personnel in Ambon if Sunday’s clash in Ambon city spread to other areas. The National Police chief said security control in Ambon at present was handled by Ambon police chief, assisted by relevant regional government authorities.

"In principle, all security control is handled by regional police chief and local government elements but we want to take preventive measures by sending 400 additional personnel to help ensure the security in Ambon," Pradopo said.