Aceh regent orders more raids on GAM<\/p>\n
Apriadi Gunawan, The Jakarta Post, Langsa<\/p>\n
East Aceh Regent Azman Usmanuddin has ordered the local police
\nand military to crack down on the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) and
\ncapture its spokesman Tengku Ishak Daud to restore security and
\norder in the regency.<\/p>\n
\"I have ordered local security authorities to raid the
\nseparatist movement's base in the regency and to capture its
\nleader Ishak Daud, dead or alive,\" he told The Jakarta Post here
\non Thursday.<\/p>\n
Azman was responding to Ishak who had ordered rebels to
\ncapture him and the chairman of the East Aceh Legislative Council
\nwhom GAM have accused of being responsible for the killing of 31
\nemployees of oil palm plantation PT Bumi Flora in Idi Rayeuk,
\nPerlak, last March.<\/p>\n
He declined to comment on the tragedy, saying: \"The case is
\nbeing investigated by the National Commission of Human Rights. I
\nwon't give any comment until the investigation is completed.\"<\/p>\n
He said separatist activities which were increasing in the
\nregency must be halted to allow local people to live peacefully
\nand the local development program to run smoothly.<\/p>\n
Asked to comment on GAM's statement that councillor Ghazali
\nUsman who was set free by GAM last Monday had resigned from the
\nlegislature, Azman said Ghazali was still a member of the
\nlegislative council.<\/p>\n
\"After his release, I did not hear any statement from Ghazali
\nthat he had quit his job. He is still a councillor and he has a
\nright to receive his honorarium and allowances,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Ghazali is a legislator of the local chapter of the United
\nDevelopment Party (PPP).<\/p>\n
He said GAM had no authority to determine Ghazali's status as
\na councillor, except if he resigned voluntarily.<\/p>\n
Ghazali was released on Monday after being held hostage by GAM
\nfor 98 days. He was suspected of being involved in the Idi Rayeuk
\ntragedy.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Yunus Usman, Ghazali's eldest brother, said that
\nGhazali along with his wife and their five children had left for
\nPalembang in South Sumatra on Wednesday for medical treatment, at
\nthe request of his eldest son First Insp. Zahrul.<\/p>\n
Besides being traumatized by his abduction ordeal, Ghazali
\nneeds intensive medical treatment, as he has suffered from
\nhepatitis and gastric problems for a long time, Yunus said.<\/p>\n
\"Upon relatives' suggestion, Ghazali accepted his son's
\ninvitation to leave for Palembang to rest while undergoing
\nmedical treatment,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Yunus declined to comment on the political issues behind
\nGhazali's abduction and release. \"The most important thing is
\nthat he has been released, said Yunus.\"<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/aceh-regent-orders-more-raids-on-gam-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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