Aceh and ABRI<\/p>\n
From D&R<\/p>\n
An interview published in D&R magazine on Jan. 16 with Prof.
\nNazaruddin Sjamsudin, a professor at the University of Indonesia
\nhas stimulated me to respond. The article concerned the
\ninappropriate attitude of the Armed Forces (ABRI), particularly
\nin Aceh.<\/p>\n
I am of the opinion that the shelving of the Aceh issue is the
\nresult of longstanding ABRI-inflicted injustices in the province.
\nManifestations of these injustices include: the disproportional
\nexploitation of natural resources, robberies, the torching and
\ndamaging of properties and even alleged rapes.<\/p>\n
In his interview, Prof. Nazaruddin seemed keen to leave an
\nimpression that the Aceh issue stems from differences between
\nAceh and non-Aceh residents; between Islamic and non-Islamic view
\npoints. This was reflected clearly in his statement that ABRI
\nunits deployed in Aceh have more non-Acehnese as well as non-
\nIslamic personnel. Such an unbalanced deployment of troops does
\nnot occur in Bali, East NusaTenggara, East Timor or Irian Jaya.<\/p>\n
Elsewhere in the interview, the professor states that the
\nremoval of Regional Military Command I\/Iskandar Muda was
\ncompleted during the tenure of former armed forces commander
\nBenny Moerdani. This comment is a transparent and irrelevant
\nprovocation regarding the non-issue of Islam in the Aceh issue.
\nIt is not my intention to defend Benny, however I would like to
\nremind Prof. Nazaruddin that the Iskandar Muda regional military
\ncommand was not the only one terminated by the former ABRI
\ncommander. I believe that injustices did not only occur during
\nBenny's tenure, but happened before and after Benny's term of
\noffice. It is unfair to single Benny out as a sole military
\nfigure responsible for all ABRI misconduct.<\/p>\n
As a scholar, lecturer and public figure, Prof. Nazaruddin
\nshould not try to fish in troubled waters. Aceh is not unlike our
\nother trouble spots of Irian Jaya, East Timor, Lampung, Tanjung
\nPriok, Situbondo and Tasikmalaya. (The list could go on.) I am
\ndeeply concerned about the sufferings of my Acehnese brethren.
\nHowever, some groups have taken advantage of the people's
\nsuffering instead of trying to alleviate or even eradicate the
\nproblem.<\/p>\n
P.M. SUSBANDONO<\/p>\n
Tangerang, West Java<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/aceh-and-abri-1447899208", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }