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Poso continues on the road to peace
On the hunt: Officers of the policeâs Mobile Brigade (Brimob) search for suspected terrorists hiding in the forests of Mount Koroncopu, Poso Pesisir, Central Sulawesi
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span class="inline inline-center">On the hunt: Officers of the police's Mobile Brigade (Brimob) search for suspected terrorists hiding in the forests of Mount Koroncopu, Poso Pesisir, Central Sulawesi. JP/Ruslan Sangadji
The situation in Poso, Central Sulawesi, has come a long way since the terrifying period between 1998 and 2001. Residents are now carrying out their daily activities as usual. There is no separation between the Muslim and Christian communities.
There has been gradual improvement since the Malino peace declaration in 2001. There are no more pitched battles between groups of Muslims and Christians, no more crowds chanting 'Allah Akbar' and 'Hallelujah' and wielding weapons, attacking villages and killing each other.
The Muslim and Christian communities in Poso have been able to exist side by side. Regent Piet Inkiriwang is a Christian and Vice Regent Syamsuri is a Muslim.
'The relationship between Muslims and Christians in Poso is very cordial. We have learnt to get along,' said Ibrahim, the former Alkhairaat Youth Alliance leader in Poso.
Muslims are free to travel to Tentena, the center of the Central Sulawesi Christian Church (GKST), and other Christian enclaves. Meanwhile, Christians have been able to freely engage in activities in Poso City and in other Muslim areas.
Lately, however, an armed group has brought fresh terror to the area.
The police have described them as a terror group. Santoso, alias Abu Wardah, is one of the founders of the East Indonesia Mujahideen (MIT) movement. The location of their basecamp remains unclear, but police reports suggest it may be in Gunung Biru, Tamanjeka, in Poso Pesisir.
The group is actively recruiting members. Residents who are economically marginalized or who suffered unfair treatment from security personnel during the conflict are the most easily persuaded to join.
'The Santoso gang members are children of former combatants during the sectarian conflict between 1998 and 2001,' said former combatant Rafiq Syamsudin, who is now a regional peace activist.
'The MIT is targeting the police; they are not targeting civilians or trying to ignite another sectarian conflict.'
Earlier in December, Coordinating Political, Legal and Security Affairs Minister Tedjo Edhy Purdijanto stated that the group was affiliated to the Islamic State movement (IS).
Central Sulawesi Police spokesman Adj. Sr. Comr. Utoro Saputro said that following the arrest of around 15 Santoso gang members, the group's membership stood at no more than 20 people, who are the most difficult to capture because they are based in the forest they dominate.
The Santoso gang is believed to be part of IS because of their methods of killing, especially following the arrest of a Chinese Turkestani citizen apprehended by police en route to Poso.
The Santoso group is believed to have carried out a number of attacks including a suicide bombing at the Poso regency police station on June 3, a drive-by shooting and the murder of a resident named M. Fadli, 50, on Sept. 19. Fadli was killed because he was regarded as an informer.
Despite the ongoing terror attacks, many former terrorists claim they have repented, such as Wiwin Kalahe, a terror convict in Poso who will be released in 2018.
'I've repented. When I'm freed, I will never rejoin them,' Wiwin said.
Another resident who has repented and become a peace activist is Rafiq. The young man, who was once imprisoned for his involvement in a terrorism case in Poso, is now running a café named Café Matahari, a meeting place for all elements of society, including civilians both Muslim and Christian and police and military officers.
Rafiq said he strongly believed that Santoso was not affiliated to IS.
Despite the attacks, today's Poso is different from what it was between 1998 and 2001. Gone are the days when the sound of gunshots and bomb blasts echoed through the regency. The clear Poso River no longer flows red with human blood and no more corpses lie unburied in the streets of the city and the fringes of the forest.
