Troops told to grin and bear it<\/p>\n
Lela E. Madjiah, The Jakarta Post, Lhokseumawe<\/p>\n
It's not the weather, nor the simple rations, the torn
\nuniform, the meager ammunition, or even the war itself that
\nafflicts troops stationed in Aceh. Homesickness is their biggest
\nfoe, especially during Idul Fitri, when nothing seems more
\nimportant than to be with your family.<\/p>\n
\"I've been here for eight months. I miss home,\" one young
\nsoldier told The Jakarta Post in Lhokseumawe, North Aceh, last
\nFriday, two days before the Islamic holiday.<\/p>\n
It was therefore quite comforting for the troops to have their
\ngenerals with them on that special day. Although no replacement
\nfor a beloved wife or children, the visit of Army Strategic
\nReserves Command (Kostrad) Chief Lt. Gen. Ryamizard Ryacudu and
\nArmy Special Force Commander Maj. Gen. Amirul Isnaini helped
\nrelieve troops of the pain of not being home for Idul Fitri. For
\nthe generals themselves, their troops come first, although not
\nmore important than their family.<\/p>\n
\"In my 27 years with the Army, I have spent 18 Idul Fitri days
\naway from my family,\" Ryamizard told the Post during a three-day
\nvisit to Aceh, from Dec. 14 to Dec. 16.<\/p>\n
Ryamizard and Amirul, accompanied by commanders of Kostrad's
\nfirst and second divisions, Maj. Gen. Syamsul Mapparepa and Maj.
\nGen. Djoko Santoso respectively, and a number of Kostrad and
\nKopassus officers, visited their troops to boost morale and
\nconfidence.<\/p>\n
It was also a time for the troops to air their grievances
\nabout various things, including their extended stay, worn out
\nboots and torn uniforms. Many of the troops had to dip into their
\nown pockets to buy rubber boots, which are far from comfortable
\nfor long walks. Some of them were also seen wearing threadbare,
\npatched uniforms because no new ones were available.<\/p>\n
Ryamizard responded by saying that that was all the country
\ncould give them.<\/p>\n
\"I really appreciate your patience and your determination to
\nserve the country, despite the shortages. I'm proud of you all,\"
\nhe said, urging the troops to maintain their high spirits.<\/p>\n
\"Remember, the people love TNI (Indonesian Military). It's not
\ntrue what some people say, that TNI is not wanted here,\" said
\nRyamizard.<\/p>\n
He told the troops they are carrying out state duty, which is
\nto defend the Unitary Republic of Indonesia against armed
\nseparatists.<\/p>\n
\"Indonesia is a sovereign country and the government of
\nIndonesia is a legitimate government. Anywhere in the world
\nlegitimate governments fight against separatism,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Ryamizard quoted community leaders he met in Takengon, Central
\nAceh, who asked TNI to maintain its presence in Aceh, and if
\nnecessary to add more troops to help preserve improved security.<\/p>\n
\"TNI was supposed to have withdrawn its combat troops (from
\nAceh), but the people rallied against the plan. That is proof of
\ntheir love for TNI,\" he said.<\/p>\n
He also reminded the troops to faithfully follow their
\nreligious teachings.<\/p>\n
\"If you follow your religion and have faith in God, you will
\nbe good soldiers who respect God's law, which is above all laws,
\nincluding human rights. When you walk within God's law, then you
\nwill automatically have respect for human rights,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Ryamizard expressed concern over Jakarta's politicians, who
\ndemanded the restoration of security in Aceh but wanted the
\nmilitary out.<\/p>\n
\"We have enough GAM (Free Aceh Movement) here, we don't need
\nGAM in Jakarta,\" said Ryamizard.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile East Aceh Regent Azman Usmanuddin claimed the
\nsituation in East Aceh had improved in the past few months.<\/p>\n
\"It is the people's wish that there will be no more GAM in
\nAceh, but they are scared because we have failed to protect
\nthem,\" said Azman.<\/p>\n
Azman claimed that the shift in East Aceh toward greater
\nsupport for TNI was a result of his strong statements against
\nGAM.<\/p>\n
\"There is no longer a place for GAM because the republic has
\ngranted their demands, which was the introduction of Islamic law
\nand the change of the name to Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam. All the
\npeople are now united against GAM.<\/p>\n
Starting July 19 this year, the House of Representatives has
\nenacted a law providing special autonomy for Aceh, which will
\nreceive 70 percent of its oil and gas revenue. Under the old law,
\nthe province received 55 percent from oil and 40 percent from
\nnatural gas it produced.<\/p>\n
\"GAM is finished, what we have now is the mafia, people who
\nkill, rob, kidnap and make threats,\" Azman claimed.<\/p>\n
Azman said the central government must be consistent in
\nimplementing Presidential Instruction No. 4 issued this year by
\nthen president Abdurrahman Wahid.<\/p>\n
\"Of the six items in the Presidential Instruction, only the
\nsecurity and legal aspects are being pursued. The remaining items
\nsuch as welfare and economic recovery have yet to be realized,\"
\nsaid Azman.<\/p>\n
Security, however, remains foremost in people's minds.<\/p>\n
\"It's simple. All the people want is security. If TNI cannot
\ngive it to them, they will turn to GAM,\" said lawyer Saifuddin
\nGani, a former NGO activist who fled to Medan after GAM issued
\nthreats against him.<\/p>\n
\"If GAM becomes stronger, the people will support them. If TNI
\nis stronger, as it is now, the people will support TNI. It's like
\nthat here in Aceh,\" Saifuddin added.<\/p>\n
Saifuddin blamed Aceh's bureaucrats for aggravating the
\nsituation.<\/p>\n
\"The officials are part of the problem. Most of them are
\ncorrupt and the funds from the central government never reach the
\npeople,\" said Saifuddin.<\/p>\n
He warned that rampant corruption could lead to Aceh's break
\naway from the republic.<\/p>\n
\"There are limits to people's patience and if this situation
\ncontinues, they will lose patience and will defect to GAM. Any
\nwhich way things are bad for them,\" he said.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/troops-told-to-grin-and-bear-it-1447893297",
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