President prefers Acehnese figures as BOK members<\/p>\n
Muninggar Sri Saraswati and Rendi A. Witular, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has expressed a preference for
\nmembers of the soon-to-be-established Special Authority Board
\n(BOK) -- which will be responsible for the overall reconstruction
\nand rehabilitation of devastated Aceh -- to be Acehnese.<\/p>\n
Speaker of the People's Consultative Assembly Hidayat Nur
\nWahid said on Tuesday that the President was looking for credible
\nfigures with clean track records, who \"care about the Acehnese
\npeople.\"<\/p>\n
\"He did say that it would be better if (the members are)
\nAcehnese,\" he said after a meeting with Susilo in his office.<\/p>\n
According to Hidayat, the President emphasized that board
\nmembers must understand the culture, traditions and particular
\nneeds of the Acehnese.<\/p>\n
\"He agreed that the board would not undermine the special
\nautonomy (in Aceh) and instead strengthen the province's special
\nstatus,\" he said, adding that Susilo would issue a decree on the
\nboard soon.<\/p>\n
Former Iskandar Muda Military Commander (overseeing Aceh)
\nDjali Yusuf and former finance minister Mar'ie Muhammad have been
\ntipped to head the board, which would work for a five-year
\nperiod.<\/p>\n
Djali, who was a member of Susilo's campaign team, is a native
\nof Aceh. It was earlier rumored that he would replace suspended
\nAceh governor Abdullah Puteh, who is facing graft charges.<\/p>\n
Mar'ie, who is now the chairman of the Indonesian Red Cross,
\nis known for his honesty and clean politics.<\/p>\n
Hidayat, who visited Aceh last weekend, said the people there
\nsupported the establishment of the board, but hoped that its
\nmembers would be serious and transparent in their work.<\/p>\n
Earlier in the day, Susilo announced he had summoned
\nCoordinating Minister for People's Welfare Alwi Shihab to report
\non donations for Aceh.<\/p>\n
\"On Jan. 26, the minister will present his report on the total
\ndonations received for Aceh and how much of that has been
\nchanneled. We guarantee the transparent and accountable
\nmanagement of the money -- not one cent will be embezzled,\" he
\nsaid in his opening remarks at the state-owned enterprises
\nsummit.<\/p>\n
Susilo said the government is determined to convince
\nIndonesians and foreigners alike that their donations have indeed
\nreached the needy in Aceh.<\/p>\n
The Dec. 26 tsunami, which killed more than 166,000 people in
\nIndonesia alone, has prompted the global community to pledge
\nbillions of dollars of tsunami aid.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/president-prefers-acehnese-figures-as-bok-members-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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