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Masohi in recovery, two named suspects
The situation in Masohi, Central Maluku regency, was gradually returning to normal Wednesday after the region was rocked Tuesday by a clash between two groups that injured five people, damaged 67 houses and set a church on fire
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The situation in Masohi, Central Maluku regency, was gradually returning to normal Wednesday after the region was rocked Tuesday by a clash between two groups that injured five people, damaged 67 houses and set a church on fire.
Some vendors in Binaya market had resumed their activities Wednesday and a number of residents had returned to their homes after seeking refuge at the barracks of the 731st Kabaressy Infantry Battalion.
The Central Maluku Police have named two people, Welhemina Holle and Asmara Wasahua, as suspects for sparking the riot.
The debacle began when Welhemina, a teacher at an elementary school in Masohi, allegedly insulted Islam during an after-class tutorial for sixth graders.
The students reported the matter to their parents, prompting the local branch of the Indonesian Ulemas Council to ask the police to take action against the teacher.
Welhemina is being charged under Article 156 of the Criminal Code on blasphemy, which carries a maximum of 15 years' imprisonment.
Asmara, who led a rally Tuesday that turned into a riot, is being charged under Articles 160 and 161 of the same law on encouraging criminal behavior.
Asmara, chairman of the Central Maluku Muslims Communication Forum, was caught on film allegedly provoking ralliers.
Maluku Provincial Police chief Brig. Gen. Mudjo Waluyo said there was a possibility others would also be named suspects as others were seen to be riling up the crowd at the rally.
The head of the Maluku Public Works Agency, Antonius Sihalohu, said reconstruction work would start next week.
"We have allocated Rp 2 billion (US$182,000) for the repairs," he said.
Chairman of the Maluku Protestant Church Synode, Rev. John Ruhulessin, said he would be devastated if Welhemina were proven to have insulted Islam.
"If the blasphemy (claim) is true, I as the leader of all Christians in Maluku apologize to all Muslims," he said.
Religious and communal leaders attempted to contain the violence, fearing it could spread to other areas in Maluku, in particular the provincial capital of Ambon, which has been a hot spot for sectarian conflicts between Christians and Muslims since 1999.
A peace agreement between followers of the two religions was reached during a meeting in Malino in February 2002, but various incidences of violence, including explosions, have occurred in the area since.
