Govt ready to scrap red-white IDs<\/p>\n
Nani Afrida, The Jakarta Post\/Banda Aceh<\/p>\n
\"Oh ... you're holding a red and white identity card? You must be
\nAcehnese then?\"<\/p>\n
This sort of question is often heard during ID inspections
\nwhether within or outside of Aceh province.<\/p>\n
Since the imposition of martial law, followed by a state civil
\nemergency, from 2003 to 2005, the Acehnese have been required to
\ncarry special red and white ID cards that set them apart from
\nother citizens of Indonesia. The ID cards are valid until the
\nlifting of the civil emergency in Aceh.<\/p>\n
The size of these cards is twice that of a regular ID card,
\nand they are signed by the local district chief, district
\nmilitary commander and district police chief. The theory is that
\nthey make it easier for security personnel to distinguish between
\ncivilians and Free Aceh Movement (GAM) members.<\/p>\n
Now, after the civil emergency was lifted a few days ago, the
\nAcehnese will be provided with regular yellow ID cards, just like
\nthose held by other Indonesians.<\/p>\n
\"With the change in status, we will replace the red and white
\nIDs with the normal IDs issued in other provinces of Indonesia,\"
\nsaid Aceh's first deputy governor, Husni Bahri, in Banda Aceh on
\nThursday.<\/p>\n
The respective municipality and regental administrations will
\nbe responsible for the program and its funding, and will be
\nsupervised by the provincial administration.<\/p>\n
The program will begin following the issuance of the
\npresidential decree on the lifting of the emergency as this will
\ncontain guidelines for the future governance of Aceh.<\/p>\n
\"The ID card replacement policy will be carried out in stages,
\nin line with the guidelines contained in the decree,\" added
\nHusni.<\/p>\n
He further said that he hoped the program would not lead to
\npublic anxiety or \"adverse consequences\".<\/p>\n
Possession of the red and white ID cards has been essential
\nfor the Acehnese. Failure to possess one would immediately lead
\nto a person being suspected of involvement in the separatist
\nmovement. So, Acehnese have to carry them wherever they go.<\/p>\n
Husni said he expected the ID card replacement program to
\nproceed expeditiously and smoothly.<\/p>\n
Around two million Acehnese will be eligible to replace their
\nID cards following the change in the province's status. The
\nprogram will be implemented simultaneously throughout Aceh,
\nincluding sensitive areas.<\/p>\n
Acehnese people have warmly welcomed the plan, but they hope
\nit will not create new problems or additional burdens for them.<\/p>\n
A Peunayong, Banda Aceh, resident, Zulkarnaen, 50, who had
\nheard about the program, hoped that he could retain his red and
\nwhite ID card until a new one was issued.<\/p>\n
\"I'm afraid of being accused of being a GAM member,\" he said.<\/p>\n
He also expressed the hope that the cost of the new IDs would
\nbe affordable and the procedures simpler than when he had applied
\nfor his red and white ID card.<\/p>\n
Muhayatsyah, 30, from Cunda, Lhokseumawe, expressed similar
\nhopes.<\/p>\n
\"I also hope that the security forces won't suspect us for
\nkeeping the red and white IDs while the new ones are being
\nreadied,\" he said.<\/p>\n
He is convinced that the ID replacement policy will be time-
\nconsuming given that the entire population of Aceh will have to
\nreplace their IDs.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/govt-ready-to-scrap-red-white-ids-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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