Aceh: A referendum for what?

Aceh: A referendum for what?

From Rakyat Merdeka

President Abdurrahman Wahid and his Cabinet are facing many
problems toward the realization of the ideals of a New Indonesia.

While the economic sector shows signs of recovery, on the
political side the state is threatened by disintegration.
Learning from the loss of East Timor, the government really needs
to be wise and seriously pay attention to the demands of other
provinces in Indonesia.

In the case of Aceh, the public must be informed about the
meaning of a referendum, the claims of the community and the
option offered by the central government. If everything is clear,
the ensuing process of dialog and negotiation can be done by
placing the interest of each side in proportion to the claims.

It is important for the community to really know what the
demands are of the Acehnese, in order that they are free from
fear and insecurity. Is legal and economic justice in their
region the pure hope they wish to realize? Or is there the
influence of another party, in this case the Free Aceh Movement
that also has its own motives in the upheaval so far.

Is a referendum actually the realization of the aspirations of
the majority of the Acehnese people? Or is it a claim for a free
Aceh independent from the unitary state of the Republic of
Indonesia? If the new government has not had the chance to
alleviate the disappointment resulting from the policy of the
former regime, the steps to be taken to safeguard the unitary
state of the Republic of Indonesia must be done through an
approach that sides with the people's aspirations.

If that is no longer possible, the offer of extended autonomy
should not be taboo. Regional potential will be in its own
interest through reducing dependence on the central government
and creating balance in socioeconomic aspects, as well as justice
and law.

ARIEF RIZALDI

Jakarta