The law moves very slowly in North Maluku. So slowly, in fact, that many criminals are quick enough to evade its reach.

That is the case now with Mochtar Sangadji, the former Kao district head in Halmahera who instigated a futile, bloody conflict in North Maluku. The case is at a stalemate, even though acting North Maluku Governor Sinyo H. Sarundayang has requested prosecutors to immediately take Sangadji's case to court. "To uphold the