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Maluku

Motto: Siwa Lima
Capital	Ambon
Governor	Karel Albert Ralahalu
Area	46,975 km² (18,137 sq mi)
Population	1,313,022  (2004)
Density	28/km² (72.5/sq mi)
Ethnic groups	Significantly mixed ethnicity; Melanesian, Malay, Ambonese, Bugis, Javanese, Chinese
Religion	Christianity, Islam
Languages	Indonesian, Ambonese, ethnic dialects
Time zone	WIT (UTC+9)
Web site	http://www.maluku.go.id/

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). Maluku traditionally belongs to Melanesia.

The main city and capital of Maluku province is Ambon on the small Ambon Island. The province has a population of 1,313,022 (2004).

All the Maluku Islands formed a single province of Indonesia from 1950 until 1999. In 1999 the Maluku Utara Regency and Halmahera Tengah Regency were split off as a separate province of North Maluku.

Contents 1 Regencies and cities 2 List of major islands and island groups in Maluku 3 Chronology of Events of Recent Conflict in Maluku 3.1 January - February 1999 3.2 March - June 1999 3.3 July - December 1999 3.4 January - May 2000 3.5 June - August 2000 3.6 March 2001 3.7 April 2001 3.8 May - June 2001 3.9 April 2002

• Buru (Namlea)
• Kepulauan Aru (Dobo)
• Maluku Tengah (Masohi)
• Maluku Tenggara (Tual)
• Maluku Tenggara Barat (Saumlaki)
• Seram Bagian Barat (Dataran Hunipopu)
• Seram Bagian Timur (Dataran Hunimoa)
• Ambon

• Ambon Island
• Aru Islands (Kepulauan Aru)
• Babar Island
• Barat Daya Islands (includes Wetar Island)
• Banda Islands (Kepulauan Banda)
• Buru
• Kei Islands
• Leti Islands
• Makian
• Saparua
• Seram
• Tanimbar Islands (Kepulauan Tanimbar)

See also: Islands of Indonesia

This section does not cite any references or sources. Please improve this section by adding citations to reliable sources. Unverifiable material may be challenged and removed. (October 2007)

On Ambon Island, an argument between a Muslim passenger and Christian 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.

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.

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 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. 4,000 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.

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.

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 Yogyakarta 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 internally displaced persons begin to return. The situation remains relatively calm with sporadic incidents.

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.

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.

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.

In Spring 2004 renewed violence erupts in Ambon.

v • d • e Provinces of Indonesia
Sumatra	Aceh · North Sumatra · West Sumatra · Bengkulu · Riau · Riau Islands · Jambi · South Sumatra · Lampung · Bangka-Belitung Islands
Java	Jakarta · West Java · Banten · Central Java · Yogyakarta · East Java
Kalimantan	West Kalimantan · Central Kalimantan · South Kalimantan · East Kalimantan
Lesser Sunda Islands	Bali · West Nusa Tenggara · East Nusa Tenggara
Sulawesi	West Sulawesi · North Sulawesi · Central Sulawesi · South Sulawesi · South East Sulawesi · Gorontalo
Maluku Islands and New Guinea	Maluku · North Maluku · West Papua · Papua