Republic of the South Moluccas

chapter 10:

THE CASE 0F DR. J. LEIMENA

An important fact is related to Dr. J. Leimena (a Moluccan),, a reputed champion of the "neo colonial R.I. policy", former vice premier and highest R.I. advi­sor. Only after 21 years being active in the R.I. government, he experience's the practice of the R.I. military and police dictatorship at Amahey.

During the election campaign (1971), Dr. Leimena arrived on the ship "Laut Harafuru" to give information about his party "Parkindo" (Christian Party of Indonesia). The meeting was beaten up and dispersed by the R.I. soldiers and the police who are supporters of the GOLKAR, in order that the population was prevented to welcome him, the minister of the Indonesian government, but not a member of GOLKAR by chance. Struck by this scene, he cried out to the people from the ship via the loudspeaker, but the soldiers and the police carried on their action undisturbed; they were led by the lieutenants Puniran and Unihopo. Meanwhile a red flag was set up on the quay to signal that the ship couldn't moor; the quay wasn't yet officially in operation, was their argument. Thus Dr. Leimena was forced to go ashore in a small boat.

Deeply stricken by this painful experience he emotionally cried out: "Now I realize, that my own people, the Malaccans, are not free within this state".

After his arrival in Djakarta he suddenly died without any obvious cause of death.