The Maluku Religious Harmony Forum (FKUB) has criticized the local police for not heeding warnings of political unrest prior to last week's riots that ransacked Masohi in Central Maluku.

The Dec. 9 riot was allegedly sparked by elementary school teacher Welhemina Holle, a Christian, who on Dec. 3 allegedly blasphemed against Islam in the presence of her sixth-graders.

FKUB secretary Husein Toisuta said early rumors circulating about the teacher's outburst should have forewarned of a potential conflict between religious groups.

"There was a window of five days in which to solve the problem as the rumors were being circulated among the public right up until the rally-turned-riot," Husein told The Jakarta Post.

"The police should have taken preventative action regardless of whether they were able to verify the rumors as the subject matter was extremely sensitive."

"Especially as Masohi has already experienced religious conflicts that have spilled over from Ambon."

Husein said the FKUB and the Central Maluku branch of the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) had met with Central Maluku Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Eko Widodo prior to the rioting to discuss the alleged blasphemy.

However, police did not follow up on the report, and were taken by surprise by the violent rally that torched dozens of houses and destroyed a church in the city.

"The riot occurred because there was no clarification on the rumors and because of police inaction," said Husein, one of the delegates attending the Malino II peace accord.

"Security measures were too late as there were already victims."

The Malino peace accord was signed in February 2002 following a spate of fatal sectarian conflicts between Christians and Muslims in the provincial capital of Ambon that began in 1999.

However, various recurrences of violence, including explosions, have occurred in the area since.

The forum reported that in last week's violence in Letwaru subdistrict, 73 houses -- 54 belonging to Christian residents and 19 to Muslim residents -- were burned to the ground.

Also razed were a church, a clinic and a village hall.

The riot forced 314 families, or 1,767 residents, to flee to 10 separate locations, where refugee camps were then set up.

"We are concerned because some of the refugees were placed in open garages or barracks, meaning they are prone to getting sick, not to mention exposed to clean water and sanitation problems," Husein said.

"The government must pay serious attention to the refugees so that the victims' trauma is eased."

FKUB chairman Idris Latuconsina told the Post that the forum had issued a five-step plan to mitigate the refugee situation and prevent further outbreaks of violence.

Idris said the forum had dispatched a team led by Husein and Rev. Ade Manuhutu to Masohi on Dec. 12 and had met with government officials and the victims' community leaders.

"The five-point plan is for the government and security authorities to solve Masohi's problems," he said.

Maluku FKUB recommendations:

1. Refugees should have access to education, and be provided with sanitation, food and clothes aids.

2. The government should compensate refugees whose houses were destroyed in the riot.

3. The performance of law enforcement agencies should be evaluated and the legal process for dealing with conflicts should be made transparent.

4. There must be support for the current law enforcement efforts.

5. The Maluku provincial administration and the Central Maluku regency administration should cooperate with religious and community leaders to settle religious issues and promote peace.

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