"I have coordinated with the Maluku governor, the Police chief and the Defense Forces (TNI) chief," Suyanto said here on Sunday.
He said that he had received a report from the Maluku governor regarding the communal clash in Ambon.
"All components are now working to prevent the clashes from escalating," the coordinating minister for political, legal and security affairs said.
In the afternoon, the situation has been calmed. "I have just received a report at 16.50 western Indonesia time (WIB) from the Maluku governor that the situation is returning to normal and local figures and government officials will meet tonight," the chief security minister said.
In the meantime, Maluku Governor Karel Albert Ralahalu has ordered police to investigate the causes of the communal clashes.
"I have asked Maluku Police Chief Brig. Genl Syarief Gunawan and the Police Resort chief Adjunct Senior Commissioner Djoko Susilo to investigate the incident so that it would not escalate," the governor said.
At least two were killed and tens of others sustained wounds in a communal clash which was triggered by the death of a motorcycle taxi driver in Ambon, Maluku, on Sunday.
The two victims who suffered shot injuries by security officials died at Dr M Haulussy Public Hospital.
"More than 18 others suffered from wounds," Dr Ita Sabrina of the hospital said.
One of the death victims was Ade Cliford (15). "Ade Clift died of a shot," a family member of the dead victim who refused to be named said when contacted from Jakarta on Sunday.(*)
Editor: Ruslan Burhani
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
