Eka Yudha Saputra – Indonesia's Maluku Police Region stated that approximately 557 local residents are still displaced due to clashes between residents in Hunuth Village, Teluk Ambon District, Ambon City, Maluku, which occurred on Tuesday, August 19, 2025.
"For the displaced residents, there are 557 people who are currently located in four evacuation centers," said the Head of Public Relations for the Maluku Regional Police, Grand Commissioner Rosita Umasugi to Tempo on August 20, 2025.
However, Rosita stated that the situation in Hunuth Village had been under control since Tuesday afternoon, August 19, 2025. A total of 350 combined personnel from the TNI-Polri joint forces of the Maluku Mobile Brigade (Brimob), the Ambon City Police Resort, and the Ambon 1504 District Military Command were deployed after the clashes between residents in Hunuth Village, Teluk Ambon District, Ambon City, Maluku, on August 20, 2025.
The Head of Public Relations Section of the Ambon Island Police Resort, Police Inspector Janet Luhukay, stated that hundreds of security forces were immediately deployed to the scene.
"The 350 deployed personnel from the TNI consist of Brimob, Kodim, and the Police Resort. Avoid taking the law into your own hands. Do not take matters into your own hands, leave it to the police," said Janet in her written statement on August 20, 2025.
Janet stated that the situation is now under control, and the community has been asked by community leaders to exercise restraint. Janet mentioned that one Samapta personnel was injured due to the throwing of stones and is currently receiving medical treatment.
"Currently, the situation is under control, and the community is urged to exercise restraint. Samapta member named Wisnu was hit by a stone and is receiving medical treatment," she said.
Yesterday, the Ambon City government urged the public to remain calm and not be provoked after the incident of clashes between residents in Hunuth.
"We urge all Ambon residents, especially those in Hunuth, to exercise restraint and not be provoked by issues that could further worsen the situation. The city government, together with the TNI-Polri forces, continues to work together to ensure that the situation returns to being safe and conducive," said Ambon Mayor Bodewin Wattimena in Ambon on Tuesday, August 19, 2025, as quoted from Antara.
Bodewin stated that the clashes originated from individual issues, which then escalated into conflicts between residents. The clashes occurred after a brawl among students resulted in one casualty.
Bodewin mentioned that based on temporary data, there were 17 houses that were burnt and several other houses suffered minor damage such as broken glass or collapsed fronts. "I assure you that the Ambon City government will immediately rebuild these houses," he said.
Residents who lost their homes due to the clashes were relocated to Nania and Negeri Lama. The Ambon City Social Agency provided basic assistance such as bedding, bathing facilities, medication, and food.
Source: https://en.tempo.co/read/2041637/577-residents-displaced-after-clashes-in-ambon-cit