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Regency capital relocation angers Banggai Laut residents
Ruslan Sangadji , The Jakarta Post , Palu | Thu, 06/26/2008 10:33 AM | The Archipelago
Protests are mounting in newly formed Banggai Island regency, South Sulawesi, following the Supreme Court's approval of a plan to move the regency capital from Banggai to Salakan.
Protesters in Banggai effaced the words "South Sulawesi" on signboards in government buildings throughout the town and replaced them with "North Maluku", demanding the government create a new regency, Banggai Laut, to be integrated into neighboring North Maluku province.
They claimed they were within their rights to demand to be a part of North Maluku because the province was still a part of Indonesia.
The unrest began in 2006, when newly elected regent Irianto Malinggong declared Salakan the new regency capital. Banggai Laut residents filed a lawsuit against the regent's move but the Supreme Court eventually sided with the regent.
The local military chief, Lt. Col. Syarif Hidayatullah, played down the protests as a transient reaction by people venting their emotions. He said the secession declaration represented the wishes of only a very small number of people upset about the relocation of the capital.
Syarif said the security condition in the regency remained relatively calm despite ongoing protests.
However, Rizal Awrie, a youth activist and head of the Mondopolian Banggai United Front's motivation and propaganda division, said Syarif was painting an unrealistic picture by making uninformed remarks.
"The Luwuk military commander in Banggai should not play double roles and give politically motivated comments," he said.
"Furthermore, he has no business in the people's political aspiration to join North Maluku. Isn't North Maluku also a part of Indonesia? What business is it of his? The military should no longer engage in politics as they did during the New Order regime.
"I hope the military commander stops making comments at random. Understand the issue first, then comment."
Rizal added the secessionist movement was still discussing plans over the future of several assets belonging to the province.
"We are currently discussing what to do with assets marked with the Banggai Islands regency crest. We will likely return them to the regency," he said.
He also rejected an intervention by Central Sulawesi Governor Bandjela Paliudju.
"He is no longer our governor. We are North Maluku residents and no longer residents of Central Sulawesi," he said.
Central Sulawesi Police spokesman Adj. Sr. Comr. Irfaizal Nasution said up to 80 police personnel were on standby in Banggai.
"We are only maintaining security," he said.
Irfaizal said police were not authorized to change back signboards at government offices, and added Bandjela was the only person in a position to resolve the issue.
