The Indonesian government has committed to ensuring the sustainability of the rehabilitation and reconciliation process in Haruku Island, Maluku Tengah Regency. This follows the successful resettlement of conflict refugees from the island.

In a coordination meeting to settle the social conflict residue in Haruku Island held on Wednesday (8/2) at the Bina Graha Building in Jakarta, several parties were present, including the Central Maluku Government, the Ministry of Home Affairs, the National Disaster Management Agency, the Ministry of Social Affairs, the Ministry of Defense and Security, the Ministry of Agrarian and Spatial Planning, as well as the Indonesian National Police and Military. The meeting was led by the Presidential Chief of Staff, Dr. Moeldoko.

“This coordination meeting is the final meeting to settle the social conflict residue in Haruku Island. The Presidential Chief of Staff and the KSP have visited the area three times, starting from seeing the condition of refugees, meeting with important groups in Maluku, reconciling the Pelauw and Kariuw groups, to the process of resettling Kariuw refugees,” said Moeldoko.

The successful return of Kariuw refugees to their village is a positive indication of the formation of peace in Central Maluku, according to Moeldoko.

In the meeting, Pj. Regent of Central Maluku, Muhamat Marasebessy, reported that all 1,238 Kariuw refugees in Aboru village had been successfully resettled.

The conflict in Haruku Island involved two communities, Kariuw and Pelauw, and has been ongoing since January 2022. As part of the rehabilitation and reconciliation efforts, Moeldoko has requested related ministries and agencies to formulate a housing and plantation seed assistance scheme for those affected by the conflict.

The government plans to expand the cultivation of cloves and nutmeg in Kariuw and Pelauw villages with a total land area of ​​600 hectares for each commodity. The government has also prepared to provide seeds to affected farmers with the hope that both conflicting parties can continue their livelihoods.

“More specific meetings will be held regarding housing and plantations. The KSP is ready to facilitate these meetings to get a comprehensive picture of the management of social conflict residue in Haruku Island,” said Moeldoko.

The government has assured that handling of social conflict, rehabilitation and reconciliation programs, as well as the Social Solidarity Assistance program, will be carried out impartially to ensure that peace in the community is sustainable