WEST SERAM RELUCTANT TO QUARREL ABOUT BORDER WITH C MALUKU

Ambon, Maluku, May 24 (ANTARA) - West Seram district Head Jacobus Puttileihalat said there should be no dispute about his region's border with Central Maluku as the matter could be amicably settled based on an existing central government regulation.

Puttileihalat said on Monday the border issue with Central Maluku district did not have to become a dispute because Home Affairs Minister's Regulation No.20 of April 13, 2010 already contained clear guidelines on the matter.

"To West Seram's district government, regional legislative assembly (DPRD) and people , the Home Affairs Minister Gamawan Fauzi's regulation about the border is the final word and therefore all elements of the public in the two districts should abide by it," Puttileihalat said over his cellular phone from Jakarta.

He said the home affairs minister was tasked with determining the borders of West Seram which was separated from Central Maluku district on January 7, 2004 as a follow-up to Constitutional Court rulings No.1,2, and 3 of 2009.

"Thus, West Seram actually does not have any problem with Central Maluku because the border, located in the Kali Mala area, is to be stipulated by the home affairs minister," Pattileihalat said.

Meanwhile, Maluku Governor Karel Albert Ralahalu said here on Monday that the border issue should not become a matter of debate.

"All elements of the public here should keep and maintain law and order for the sake of the smooth implementation of both national and international programs to improve the local people's economy and welfare," Governor Ralahalu said.

The governor asked all related parties in the province to refrain from creating a public debate about the border between the two districts because the provincial administration had so far yet to receive a decision from the home affairs minister about the matter.

Ralahalu said the local government would follow up the home affairs minister's decision about the border between West Seram and Central Maluku districts in accordance with the law and regulations.

He said parties who could not accept the home affairs minister's decision could challenge it through legal channels.

"We are all people of Maluku, and we should not quarrel about district borders and instead view things from the positive side in the common interest," Governor Ralahalu said.