Aceh referendum<\/p>\n
From Media Indonesia<\/p>\n
The wish of the Acehnese people to hold a referendum should
\nnot be responded to rashly by the government. The Aceh case is
\nnot a problem merely about equitable distribution of prosperity,
\nwhich in fact never took place during either Old Order or New
\nOrder rule. What is happening is connected to the efforts to
\nbring about disintegration by the Free Aceh Movement in the frame
\nof the old claims of DI\/TII of the time of the Old Order. Thus,
\nwhatever the government offers as a compromise will not easily be
\naccepted before the Acehnese obtain independence.<\/p>\n
Offering to hold a referendum in Aceh would certainly see a
\nrepeat of East Timor, which resulted from the mistake of the
\nHabibie government. The option of special autonomy being offered
\nis not very clear. And there is also the option of independence.
\nThe option of special autonomy should first be tested in a region
\nas a pilot project.<\/p>\n
If a referendum takes place in Aceh, all provinces in
\nIndonesia could demand the same. If it is possible in Aceh, why
\nnot in other provinces? The criteria of a special region are no
\nlonger determined by declarations given by former governments.<\/p>\n
I appeal to the government especially, and to the people who
\nwish to separate from the Republic of Indonesia, to be aware that
\nwe should be one in garnering forces to confront the West, which
\nis rejoicing in dividing our nation and wishes to destroy the
\nemergence of Islamic forces from Indonesia.<\/p>\n
Y. RABKI<\/p>\n
Bandung<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/aceh-referendum-1447899208", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }