Sejarah Kelam Konflik Keagamaan Kristen-Muslim di Poso || VIVA SPOTLIGHT

Summary

The Poso conflict, a series of riots in Central Sulawesi, Indonesia, during the late 1990s, was fueled by economic competition between native Christians and Muslim migrants from overpopulated regions like Java and Bali. It began on Christmas Eve 1998 with a stabbing incident and escalated with religious clashes, police raids, and retaliatory attacks. The conflict led to over 500 deaths, hundreds injured, and thousands displaced. It ended in 2001 with the Malino Declaration, initiated by Jusuf Kalla, aiming for peace and reconciliation.

Takeaways

• 📅 The Poso conflict refers to a series of riots that occurred in Poso, Central Sulawesi, Indonesia, during the late 1990s.
• 👥 The conflict was fueled by government transmigration programs that brought in people from densely populated areas, causing economic competition between the native Christian population and the Muslim Bugis migrants.
• 🗣️ The conflict escalated with the fall of the New Order in Indonesia in 1998, particularly after a stabbing incident involving a Lambogia youth named Roy and a Muslim named Ahmad on Christmas Eve.
• 🚔 The police's destruction of alcohol, believed to be the root of the unrest by religious leaders, further exacerbated tensions.
• ⚔️ Clashes between Muslim and Christian youth groups intensified, leading to violence and the mobilization of groups by local political figures like Herman Parimo.
• 🏛️ In April 2000, a trial involving the misuse of rural credit funds by the Regent, Afgar Patanga, was marred by rumors of funds being used to hire attackers, leading to further violence.
• 🔥 A series of retaliatory attacks by both sides, including the burning of public facilities and homes, resulted in significant destruction and loss of life.
• 👮‍♂️ The police's response, including the deployment of Brimob from Palu, was met with further violence, including accidental shootings and retaliation from both communities.
• 🏗️ The conflict led to the destruction of thousands of homes and public facilities, and hundreds of people were killed or injured.
• 📜 The conflict ended with the Malino Declaration in December 2001, initiated by Jusuf Kalla, aimed at fostering peace and reconciliation in the region.

Q & A

What is the Poso conflict?

The Poso conflict refers to a series of riots that occurred in Poso Regency, Central Sulawesi, in the late 1990s.

What was the government's transmigration program aimed at?

The government's transmigration program was aimed at bringing people from densely populated areas, mostly Muslims from Java, Lombok, and predominantly Hindu Bali, to Poso.

How did the economic competition between the native Poso population and the newcomers contribute to the conflict?

The economic competition between the native Christian population of Poso and the Muslim Bugis migrants contributed to tensions that eventually led to the Poso conflict.

What triggered the outbreak of the Poso conflict?

The Poso conflict coincided with the fall of the New Order in Indonesia in 1998, particularly after a Lambogia youth named Roy attacked a Muslim named Ahmad Ridwan on Christmas Eve, December 24.

What was the initial response of religious leaders to the conflict?

Religious leaders from both sides initially agreed that the root of the riots was the consumption of alcohol, leading to the police confiscation and destruction of thousands of alcoholic beverages.

Who led the second major clash in the Poso conflict?

The second major clash was led by Herman Parimo, a member of the Poso Regional Legislative Council, who mobilized a group of Christians to attack on September 27, 1998.

What was the accusation against Bupati Afgar Patanga during his trial?

Bupati Afgar Patanga was accused of misusing funds from a rural credit program, with rumors suggesting some funds were used to hire people to attack the courthouse and burn important documents during his trial in April 2000.

What was the prediction made by Cailani Umar, a member of the provincial DPRD from PPP, regarding the conflict?

Cailani Umar predicted that more violence would occur if the then-candidate for Bupati, Damsik Laajani, was not elected, which led to further clashes the day after his prediction.

How did the police intervention in the Poso conflict escalate the situation?

The police intervention escalated the situation when members of BRIMO (Mobile Brigade) from Palu accidentally fired into a crowd, killing two people and injuring several others, which led to further retaliation by the Red Christian group.

What was the Malino Declaration and who initiated it?

The Malino Declaration was an agreement signed on December 20, 2001, that marked the end of the Poso conflict. It was initiated by Jusuf Kalla.

What were the consequences of the Poso conflict in terms of casualties and property damage?

The Poso conflict resulted in 577 deaths, 384 injuries, the destruction of 7,932 houses, and the burning of 510 public facilities.