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After Indonesia has occupied East Timor for 24 years, the people have decided to obtain independence, as evidenced by the overwhelming majority in the referendum. Unfortunately, immediately after the announcement of the result, local pro-Indonesia militia has started its campaign of terror: mudering, burning and looting, driving thousands of pro-Independence Timorese from their homes.

The Indonesian armed forces have been suspected as being hand in gloves with the militia. The Indonesian Government is seen as taking inadequate measures to control the chaos. For various reasons, the post-referendum anarchy has left Indonesia a bad name.

The day before yesterday, Indonesia declared martial law in East Timor. Yesterday, the UN left the territory. The independence leader Xanana Gusmao was released on the same day to an uncertain future.

The onus is on Indonesia to ensure peace and security in the territory and to hand it over to a new government. If Indonesia cannot fulfil its obligations, then it has to allow the United Nations Peace-Keeping Force to take over. True, the force may encounter many obstacles to police the territory, in particular it would need tremendous efforts to overcome the militia. But, if Indonesia cannot cope, it would have to seek an alternative such as an international force.

As the Oppostion Leader Lim Kit Saing has said, the Malaysian Government should show its concern to solve the post-referendum anarchy in East Timor and to ensure a peaceful transfer of the territory to a new government.

 Dr Tan Seng Giaw