POLRI Sends 400 More Personnel to Ambon

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - The National Police (Polri) has sent an addition of 400 police personnel to the eastern Indonesian city of Ambon following Sunday’s communal clash there. National Police Chief Gen Timur Pradopo said at Merdeka Palace here the police reinforcement arrived in Ambon at 4 am on Monday.

"We inrease 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.

He explained that the police in Ambon at present prioritize preventive measures by enforcing legal provision to forbid the people from carrying firearms and sharp weapons. Asked about the number of fatalities in Sunday’s communal clash and the latest development in Ambon, Pradopo refused to comment to avoid confusion.

"It is still being updated and we will inform it later because it is still uncertain and confusing," he said.

The communal clash in Ambon on Sunday was triggered by the death of a motorcycle taxi driver identified as Darmin Saiman in a traffic accident between Gunung Nona and Benteng. To help maintain the security in Ambon, a total of 200 police personnel had been sent from Makassar, South Sulawesi to Ambon later on Sunday.

National Police spokesman Insp. Gen. Anton Bachrul Alam said the police personnel were sent from Makassar because the South Sulawesi provincial city was geographically near to Maluku.

He said that police, military, the governor, community leaders and religious leaders in Ambon have been coordinating with the relevant authorities help calm down the situation after the outbreak of the conflict.