| Besi Merah Putih | |
|---|---|
 Symbol of the BMP[1] | |
| Leader | Manuel de Sousa |
| Foundation | December 27, 1998 |
| Dates of operation | 1999–2000 |
| Country | East Timor |
| Motives | Prevention of East Timor's independence |
| Headquarters | Maubara, East Timor |
| Active regions | East Timor |
| Political position | Right-wing |
| Major actions | |
| Notable attacks | Timor-Leste Scorched Earth campaign |
| Status | Defunct |
Besi Merah Putih (also known as BMP), meaning 'red and white iron' in Indonesian, was the official name of an East Timor, approximately 200-strong, pro-Indonesia militia (Wanra). It operated in Maubara, in the district of Liquiçá, and in the neighbourhood of the river Lóis, west of the capital Dili, under the leadership of Manuel de Sousa and with the support of Leoneto Martins, the district administrator (Bupati) of Liquiçá. It was founded on 27 December 1998 in Cai-Cassa, East Timor. The Indonesian ex-general Prabowo had direct links to Besi Merah Putih and trained members at a Kopassus base near Bogor in West Java.[2][3] Tomé Diogo is also rumoured to have direct links to the BMP. The Indonesian army member is said to have led the militia directly.
- ^ East Timor law and Justice Bulletin
- ^ Hainsworth, Paul; McCloskey, Stephen (2000-08-11). The East Timor Question: The Struggle for Independence from Indonesia. Bloomsbury Academic. ISBN 978-1-86064-408-5.
- ^ East Timor Ireland Solidarity Campaign – Briefing Paper