Government blamed for separatist movements<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Separatist movements in some parts of the
\ncountry, including Aceh, have been -- historically -- the result
\nof the government's failure to realize the goal of the nation to
\nbe free, noted historian Anhar Gonggong said on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
\"Aceh has been suffering from various 'illnesses' since the
\nDutch Colonial era. The Acehnese have been bullied for too long,\"
\nhe told media at his office.<\/p>\n
\"The only way to deal with the situation is to speed up the
\nrehabilitation, compensation for the (human rights violations)
\nvictims and stop the violence,\" Anhar, who is also Director for
\nHistory and Museum at the Ministry of National Education, said.<\/p>\n
\"Give Aceh a free space within this unitary state. Let the
\nAcehnese exercise Syariah Islam (Islamic law). At the same time
\ngive freedom to Aceh residents who are non-Muslims,\" he said.<\/p>\n
He said he recently told a gathering of Acehnese that there
\nwas no guarantee that if Aceh went free, the conflicts would end.<\/p>\n
\"History also recorded that (former president) Soeharto, who
\npracticed a political and economic system of ignoring culture and
\ntraditional values, had torn down the traditional system by
\nissuing Law No. 5\/1974 on state administration.\"<\/p>\n
\"The law has terminated all roles of traditional leadership
\nand the result is that we find it difficult to resolve unrest in
\nAceh, Irian Jaya and other parts of the country. There are no
\ninformal or traditional leaders to look to,\" he said.<\/p>\n
The adoration of the Aceh Separatists Movement (GAM) patron
\nHassan di Tiro as well as GAM armed wing leaders was the
\nmanifestation of cumulative disappointment with the government,
\nAnhar cited.<\/p>\n
Anhar, however, expressed his confidence that Aceh and Irian
\nJaya would remain in the republic.<\/p>\n
In the Aceh capital of Banda Aceh some 50 students of the Ar-
\nRaniry Darussalam State Institute for Islamic Studies rallied in
\nfront of the Aceh Police Headquarters on Wednesday, demanding
\nthat police immediately release activist Muhammad Nazar.<\/p>\n
The protesters failed to meet Aceh Police chief Brig. Gen.
\nChaerul R. Rasyidi, who was out of town.<\/p>\n
Nazar, the chairman of the Information Center of Aceh
\nReferendum (SIRA), has been detained since Nov. 20 for creating
\npublic disorder during the commemoration of the Indonesian
\nIndependence day on Aug. 17. SIRA members displayed banners
\ncalling Indonesia \"Neo Colonialist\".<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, violence continued in many areas of the restive
\nprovince on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
In Matang Geleumpang Dua in Bireun regency, police Second Pvt.
\nJohn Heriadi was shot dead by GAM militiamen. North Aceh Police
\nchief Supt. Abadan Bangko confirmed the incident, saying that
\nJohn and Second. Pvt. Ichsan were on motorcycle patrol when GAM
\nrebels shot them at 2 a.m. local time, Wednesday. \"Ichsan was
\nseverely injured.\"<\/p>\n
In Idie Rayeuk, East Aceh, Army Second Sgt. Amin Nur was shot
\nby two gunmen who came to his shop late Tuesday night. \"He is now
\nbeing treated in a hospital in Medan, North Sumatra,\" Dr. Zuli
\nAbdulrachman of the local health center, said.<\/p>\n
Also in East Aceh, a 36-year-old civilian, identified as Erwin
\nwas shot dead by unknown men who approached him at a bus shelter
\nin the village of Sungai Raya, in Rantau Selamat district
\nlate Tuesday night. (50\/edt\/lup\/sur)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/government-blamed-for-separatist-movements-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}