Puteh takes over power in Aceh<\/p>\n
Nani Farida and Muninggar Sri Saraswati, Aceh\/Jakarta<\/p>\n
Governor Abdullah Puteh officially took over the command from
\nmartial law administrator Maj. Gen. Endang Suwarya on Monday,
\nalmost three weeks after the government lowered the province's
\nstatus to a state of civil emergency.<\/p>\n
The number of troops in the troubled province, however, would
\nremain the same as the Indonesian Military (TNI) vowed to pursue
\na massive military offensive against the separatist Free Aceh
\nMovement (GAM).<\/p>\n
Puteh and Suwarya signed the transfer of command and
\noperational control order in a ceremony presided over by acting
\ncoordinating minister for political and security affairs Hari
\nSabarno.<\/p>\n
Suwarya will remain military chief of the restive province,
\nwhere GAM rebels have been fighting for independence for the
\nresource-rich territory since 1976. More than 10,000 people,
\nmostly civilians have been killed since then.<\/p>\n
President Megawati Soekarnoputri placed Aceh under martial law
\non May 19, 2003 and launched an integrated operation, which
\nincluded law enforcement, humanitarian activities, empowerment of
\nthe bureaucracy and a security operation against GAM rebels.<\/p>\n
TNI claimed that about 5,000 rebels had either been killed,
\ncaptured, or have surrendered.<\/p>\n
The government lifted martial law on May 18, 2004, exactly one
\nyear after it was imposed, and put the province under civil
\nemergency, under which the civilian administration has the power
\nto censor the press and impose a curfew if needed.<\/p>\n
While the people have generally welcomed the change of status
\nin Aceh, they have been critical of the appointment of Puteh as
\nthe its administrator.<\/p>\n
Puteh has been questioned by police for alleged corruption
\ninvolving the provincial administration during martial law.<\/p>\n
The powerful Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) is
\nscheduled to question him on June 10 about an alleged mark-up in
\nthe purchase of a Mi-2 helicopter in 2003.<\/p>\n
However, in his speech marking the hand-over ceremony, Hari
\nSabarno defended Puteh.<\/p>\n
\"There is no regulation that requires the temporary removal of
\na state official undergoing questioning,\" he said.<\/p>\n
He called on the Acehnese people not to think about the legal
\nstatus of Puteh, but to maintain security in the province.<\/p>\n
The minister added that Puteh would be assisted by a team of
\n18 assistants and observers. The team would help outline policies
\nand solve problems that may occur during the civil emergency and
\nmonitor budget disbursement.<\/p>\n
Sabarno denied suggestions that the formation of the team of
\nassistants was triggered by Puteh's alleged corruption.<\/p>\n
Sabarno refused to disclose the budget allocated for the
\nprovince, but said that the funds were taken from the regional
\nand state budget.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Puteh refused to reveal any information regarding
\nhis questioning. \"I am ready for questioning anytime,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Separately in Jakarta, KPK deputy chairman Erry Riyana
\nHardjapamekas said the commission would continue investigation
\ninto Puteh's alleged corruption.<\/p>\n
\"We will continue the questioning. We do not need permission
\nto summon anyone,\" he told reporters at his office.<\/p>\n
The commission has the authority to summon anyone, including
\nstate officials without the approval of the president.<\/p>\n
It had not finished its questioning of Puteh last week as the
\nlatter had to attend a meeting of governors in Aceh.<\/p>\n
According to Erry, Puteh had promised to come back to the
\ncommission office for questioning on July 10 to give more
\ninformation about the alleged markup in the purchase of the
\nhelicopter, which cost the state some Rp 12 billion.<\/p>\n
The commission considers the helicopter overpriced because the
\nNavy bought a similar chopper for only Rp 6 billion.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/puteh-takes-over-power-in-aceh-1447893297",
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