The government is slow<\/p>\n
I must say I am not too far from reality by saying, in some
\ncases, our government is telmi (acronym for telat mikir or slow
\nthinking). This was evident when the government recently declared
\nthe Free Aceh Movement (GAM) a separatist group and that the
\ngovernment should act against it. This decision was reached after
\ntough statements by the commander of the Army Strategic Reserves
\nCommand and Army chief of staff.<\/p>\n
A GAM commander had said clearly that GAM had been fighting
\nthe government since 1976 and if the Indonesian Military (TNI)
\nattacked them, they would fight back with thousands of their
\ntrained soldiers, spread all over Sumatra. However, the
\ngovernment only declared GAM a separatist movement in 2001, a
\nclear proof that the government is slow in thinking.<\/p>\n
Last year in a televised coffee morning chat, the President
\nsaid: \"If people want to talk about being free, let them talk.
\nBut if they start organizing and arming themselves, they should
\nbe arrested. The government is very serious about this. I have
\ntold the minister of home affairs and regional autonomy and
\ncoordinating minister for political, social and security affairs
\nabout this\".<\/p>\n
The government, through the minister of defense, has expressed
\nfear of acting resolutely and said it was going to launch a
\n\"limited security operation\". This is proof that the government
\nhas no courage to take firm action against GAM.<\/p>\n
GAM is continuing their operations against civilians and the
\nsecurity forces, as announced by a local commander. GAM is
\nattacking civilian installations, from district facilities to the
\ngovernor's office. GAM is continuing to extort money from
\ncompanies operating in Aceh, and nobody dares to report this. GAM
\nviolates human rights because they know they are \"immune\" (to
\nprosecution). Even the National Commission for Human Rights is of
\nthe opinion that only the security forces have been violating
\nhuman rights.<\/p>\n
Further, I am wondering what is actually meant by \"a limited
\nsecurity operation\". Why not be firm because only firm and
\nresolute actions will bring about the desired results in a short
\ntime. The indecisive attitude of the government will only prolong
\nthe suffering of the people.<\/p>\n
The late Bung Hatta (former vice president) said \"Use your
\nleft hand to hit hard when necessary but keep your right hand
\nready to shake hands for peace\".<\/p>\n
SOEGIH ARTO<\/p>\n
Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/the-government-is-slow-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }