Govt to launch Rp 100 billion 'economic crash program' in Aceh<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Just two days before a planned unilateral
\ndeclaration of independence in Aceh, the government announced
\nhere on Saturday it would launch a Rp 100 billion "economic crash
\nprogram" for the people in the volatile province.<\/p>\n
Addressing a media conference at Merdeka Palace, Coordinating
\nMinister for the Economy Rizal Ramli said the "immediate
\ninitiative" was designed to meet the economic and social demands
\nof the Acehnese.<\/p>\n
"In order to obtain the best solution and win back the hearts
\nof the Acehnese, the central government has set up an
\ninterdepartmental task force to implement this crash program,"
\nRizal said.<\/p>\n
He added that the money to finance the three-month program,
\nscheduled to begin early this month, would be drawn from "a
\nspecial post" which was "specifically prepared for the regional
\nautonomy".<\/p>\n
The government was quick to add, however, that the initiative
\nhad nothing to do with the planned unilateral declaration of
\nindependence in Aceh on Monday.<\/p>\n
"This has nothing to do with the plan for December 4 ... it is
\nonly a coincidence that we made the announcement at this moment,"
\nPresident Abdurrahman Wahid, who was also present at Saturday's
\nmedia conference, said.<\/p>\n
In a six-page statement issued by the presidential office, the
\ngovernment said the 13-member task force was established on Nov.
\n29 and was led by the secretary-general of the Ministry of
\nSettlement and Regional Infrastructure.<\/p>\n
The government said that under the framework of the
\ninitiative, Jakarta would channel medicine, food and other basic
\nsupplies to flood-hit areas in Aceh.<\/p>\n
Floods in the territory have left at least 16 people dead and
\ncaused more than Rp 800 billion in financial losses.<\/p>\n
The government said it would also repair damaged
\ninfrastructure in Aceh, including, roads, schools, mosques,
\nchurches and telecommunications facilities.<\/p>\n
The government added that under the rehabilitation program, it
\nwould also try to bring back judges and prosecutors to Aceh to
\nrevive law enforcement in the province.<\/p>\n
Dozens of judges and prosecutors have left Aceh over the past
\nseveral months for fear of further violence between separatist
\nrebels and security personnel.<\/p>\n
The government also said it would take steps "to accelerate
\nthe implementation of special autonomy" in the troubled province,
\nand reiterated its earlier commitment to establish a free-port in
\nSabang, just off the northwestern tip of Sumatra.<\/p>\n
Abdurrahman also called on the Acehnese on Saturday "to
\nmaintain calm and security in Aceh so that these programs can be
\nimplemented properly".<\/p>\n
"We do not want the TNI (Indonesian Military) to have too much
\nof a role in Aceh except for the maintenance of security and
\norder," Abdurrahman said.<\/p>\n
The President also said during the media conference he would
\nvisit the flood-hit areas in West Sumatra and Aceh later this
\nmonth.<\/p>\n
When pressed to specify the dates of his visit, Abdurrahman
\nsaid he would visit Aceh twice, with his second visit being to
\nthe capital Banda Aceh. (byg)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/govt-to-launch-rp-100-billion-economic-crash-program-in-aceh-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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