Aceh special autonomy bill cops flack from experts<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Experts warned House of Representatives
\nlegislators on Thursday of constitutional offenses resulting from
\nthe adoption of special autonomy status in Aceh, based on a bill
\ncurrently being deliberated by the lawmakers.<\/p>\n
Speaking at a hearing with members of the House's special
\ncommittee for the draft's deliberation, natural resources expert
\nMaria S.W. Sumardjono and political observers Fachry Ali and
\nChusnul Mariyah suggested that certain articles in the bill could
\nlead to the creation of an Aceh state.<\/p>\n
Maria drew specific attention to the presence of qanun (Aceh
\nconstitution) in the draft, which she deemed as violating the
\n1945 Constitution.<\/p>\n
\"It would be different if we agreed to adopt a federal system,
\nin which each state could apply its own laws. But we are still
\nrecognizing Indonesia as a unitary state,\" she said.<\/p>\n
The draft, also known as the bill on special autonomy status
\nfor Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam, also concerns the utilization of
\nland, forest and mineral resources. Maria criticized the bill for
\nnot clearly outlining the province's authority regarding those
\nmatters.<\/p>\n
\"If everything should fall under the Nanggroe (institution
\nauthorized to deal with all matters related to Aceh customs),
\nthen what happens to non-Acehnese people who possess land in the
\nprovince?<\/p>\n
\"We should prevent the possibility of shifting authority from
\nJakarta to the Aceh government, instead of Aceh people. It will
\nlead to new human rights violations,\" she said.<\/p>\n
She suggested that the draft accommodate as many related
\nnational regulations as possible to make it less controversial.<\/p>\n
\"It does not mean I am against the draft, but we have to be
\naware of these possibilities,\" she said.<\/p>\n
Fachry said the struggle for power between Jakarta, the local
\ngovernment and the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) separatist rebels
\nshould be taken into account during the deliberation.<\/p>\n
\"So, when the draft is endorsed, there will be certainty about
\nwho holds the authority and controls the power, because we all
\nknow that currently these groups are fighting for influence in
\nAceh,\" Fachry said.<\/p>\n
He also urged the House to verify whether the draft, which
\ncame from the provincial councillors, really represented the Aceh
\npeople's aspirations.<\/p>\n
Chusnul criticized the possibility of implementing Islamic Law
\nin the province, saying many problems would arise as a result.<\/p>\n
\"I am not against Islamic law, but we have to admit that such
\na law could lead to violence against women, who make up 75
\npercent of the whole Acehnese population,\" Chusnul said.<\/p>\n
\"It needs further discussion and definition as to what aspects
\nof life Islamic Law can apply and there should be a discourse on
\nwomen's rights under the law,\" she said.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile an Air Force officer from Aceh's Iskandar Muda Air
\nBase was found dead with severe cut wounds to the face and arm in
\nBanda Aceh, capital of disputed Aceh province, on Thursday
\nmorning, officials said.<\/p>\n
Iskandar Muda Air Base commander Maj. Eris Widodo said that
\nlocals found the body of First Sgt. Roy Irawan, floating on the
\nriver with his hands tied to the trunk of a banana tree, in the
\nGampong Jawa area of Kuta Alem district.<\/p>\n
Officer Eris said that Roy was last seen by fellow air force
\npersonnel on Wednesday during routine afternoon sports
\nactivities.<\/p>\n
\"After that he went to Banda Aceh on a motorbike to go
\nshopping but the officer failed to return to the base,\" Eris was
\nquoted by Antara as saying.<\/p>\n
The air base is located about 15 kilometers away from Banda
\nAceh. The body was later taken to Zainoel Abidin General
\nHospital. (dja\/edt)<\/p>",
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