Palace Announces Resolution of Social Conflict on Maluku's Haruku Island
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22 July 2024 22:00 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Presidential Palace has declared the social conflict on Haruku Island, Maluku, which erupted in 2022, to be resolved. President's Chief of Staff Moeldoko expressed hope for lasting peace and the absence of future societal friction.
Moeldoko made this announcement on Monday, July 22, 2024, following a meeting with Acting Governor of Maluku Sadali Le, Acting Regent of Central Maluku Rakib Sahubawa, and officials from relevant ministries including the Coordinating Ministry for Human Development and Culture, the Coordinating Ministry for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs, the Ministry of Social Affairs, and the Ministry of Public Works.
“The dispute between the Pelauw and Kariuw villages has been resolved. We have agreed that this will no longer be an issue. What was previously the status quo has now been designated as cultural heritage,” Moeldoko said at the Jakarta Palace complex on Monday.
The Haruku riots occurred between January 25 and 27, 2022, involving two neighboring villages – Kariu and the Ori hamlet within the Pelauw village. This conflict also allegedly involved religious tensions, as the Pelauw and Ori communities are Muslim, while the Kariu residents are Protestant Christians.
The historical context of the conflict involves past disputes between these two traditional villages related to territorial boundaries. The immediate trigger for the riots arose when a resident from Kariu began cultivating land. Ori residents objected, claiming the land did not belong to the Kariu village.
Moeldoko emphasized that the conflict in Haruku stemmed from a border dispute and was not religiously motivated. The retired military general also confirmed that the 1,245 residents who fled to Aboru in 2022 have returned home.
Despite the resolution of the conflict, Moeldoko acknowledged that 207 housing units still require immediate attention. Additionally, the government is seeking solutions to address the environmental impact of the conflict, including 600 hectares of damaged farmland.
“Two hundred hectares will be replanted with coconut trees immediately, and solutions will be found for the remaining land. Livestock assistance and other forms of support are also being prioritized, as we highlighted in the meeting,” Moeldoko explained.
DANIEL A. FAJRI
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