Map of Maluku province in Indonesia
Maluku is a province of Indonesia, comprising, broadly, the southern part of the Maluku Islands (also known as the Moluccas, Molucca Islands or Moluccan Islands).
The main city and capital of Maluku province is Ambon City on the small Ambon Island.
All the Maluku Islands formed a single province of Indonesia from 1950 until 1999. In 1999 the Maluku Utara Regency was split off as a separate province of North Maluku.
List of major islands and island groups in Maluku
See also: Islands of Indonesia
Chronology of Events of Recent Conflict in Maluku
January - February 1999
An argument between a Christian passenger and Muslim bus driver on January 19, 1999 developed into a fight that quickly spreads into days of violence with many casualties and much destruction of housing. The fighting quickly spreads to the nearby islands of Haruku, Seram and Saparua because of rumors.
March - June 1999
There is a four-month period of calm during which time Indonesia's first free national and regional elections in 44 years take place largely without violence. May 12, 1999, a peace declaration is signed between religious leaders, community and traditional leaders and youth figures and organizations.
July - December 1999
From July 27, major riots take place with hundreds of shops and homes destroyed. In August fighting breaks out in the newly created province of North Maluku (which until 1999 had been part of Maluku province), primarily due to political and ethnic not religious reasons. The second half of 1999 saw regular fighting across Maluku province with many casualties.
January - May 2000
January 7, 2000, over 100,000 Muslims demonstrate in Jakarta calling for a jihad in Maluku in order to save the Muslims. In May the Laskar Jihad militia group begin to arrive in Maluku. 3,000 are reported to arrive in the province. Other Islamic milita groups are absorbed into it. Tensions rise within both religious groups. Muslim militias start to try to clear Christian villages out of key transportation corridors.
June - August 2000
On June 27, President Abdurrahman Wahid declares a state of civil emergency, giving the police and military broad new powers. By July 2000 there were approximately 14,000 troops in Maluku. Many of the villages across the bay from Ambon town as well as the main university of Pattiumura are destroyed. There has been large-scale displacement of populations. In August 2000, the Yon Gab, Joint Battalion arrives made up of soldiers from other parts of Indonesia with the hope that they would not become involved with one side or the other. Open clashes between Muslims and Christians become more rare.
March 2001
A bomb is thrown into the second floor of a library. Incidents occur regularly although there is no wide spread displacement on Ambon. In December, approximately 200 Muslim and Christian leaders meet in Jogjakarta to explore the possibility of reaching reconciliation in Maluku. Forced conversion of Christians on remote islands of Kesoui and Teor off Seram causes displacement of 800 families to Southeast Maluku. On the eve of the second anniversary of the conflict troops conduct 'sweepings' in Ambon. During the following days several police officers are arrested for partisan involvement with the conflict. Relations between the army and the Ambon police deteriorate further. The situation remains calm in Southeast Maluku and IDPs begin to return. The situation remains relatively calm with sporadic incidents.
April 2001
Tensions rise in the build up to April 25, anniversary of the declaration of an independent state in Maluku, when members of the Maluku Sovereignty Front (FKM) raise independence flags. The leader of the FKM and the leader of Laskar Jihad are arrested although later both are released.
May - June 2001
Starting on May 20, masked men launch a series of attacks in Christian areas of Ambon resulting in eighteen deaths and widespread fear. On June 14, the Joint Battalion conducts wide spread sweeping in Muslim areas of town, resulting in 23 Muslim deaths and the destruction of the Laskar Jihad radio station and a Laskar medical clinic.
The situation returns to a state of relative calm. The events of September 11 and the ensuing bombing in Afghanistan increase tensions towards internationals from Muslims but no direct threats are made towards humanitarian organizations or individuals. Sporadic incidents culminate in the bombing and sinking of the main ferry in Ambon, the California, with 18 killed.
April 2002
In April, the Coordinating Minister for Peoples' Welfare, Jusuf Kalla , becomes actively engaged in trying to solve the conflict. Following lengthy discussions, a meeting is held in Malino , South Sulawesi and a peace accord signed between 35 Muslim and 35 Christian delegates. This leads to wide spread celebrations in Ambon and considerable increased movement between Muslim and Christian areas of town. However on 4th April, the Governor's building, one of the main neutral meeting points in town is burned to a shell. The situation then becomes calmer until 25th April when FKM supporters again raise flags (this time on balloons) and trigger violence in the city. Muslim Militia attacks a Christian village burning 35 houses.
2004
In Spring 2004 renewed violence erupts in Ambon.
Last updated: 02-10-2005 21:01:56
Last updated: 04-25-2005 03:06:01