Aceh and ABRI
Aceh and ABRI
From D&R
An interview published in D&R magazine on Jan. 16 with Prof. Nazaruddin Sjamsudin, a professor at the University of Indonesia has stimulated me to respond. The article concerned the inappropriate attitude of the Armed Forces (ABRI), particularly in Aceh.
I am of the opinion that the shelving of the Aceh issue is the result of longstanding ABRI-inflicted injustices in the province. Manifestations of these injustices include: the disproportional exploitation of natural resources, robberies, the torching and damaging of properties and even alleged rapes.
In his interview, Prof. Nazaruddin seemed keen to leave an impression that the Aceh issue stems from differences between Aceh and non-Aceh residents; between Islamic and non-Islamic view points. This was reflected clearly in his statement that ABRI units deployed in Aceh have more non-Acehnese as well as non- Islamic personnel. Such an unbalanced deployment of troops does not occur in Bali, East NusaTenggara, East Timor or Irian Jaya.
Elsewhere in the interview, the professor states that the removal of Regional Military Command I/Iskandar Muda was completed during the tenure of former armed forces commander Benny Moerdani. This comment is a transparent and irrelevant provocation regarding the non-issue of Islam in the Aceh issue. It is not my intention to defend Benny, however I would like to remind Prof. Nazaruddin that the Iskandar Muda regional military command was not the only one terminated by the former ABRI commander. I believe that injustices did not only occur during Benny's tenure, but happened before and after Benny's term of office. It is unfair to single Benny out as a sole military figure responsible for all ABRI misconduct.
As a scholar, lecturer and public figure, Prof. Nazaruddin should not try to fish in troubled waters. Aceh is not unlike our other trouble spots of Irian Jaya, East Timor, Lampung, Tanjung Priok, Situbondo and Tasikmalaya. (The list could go on.) I am deeply concerned about the sufferings of my Acehnese brethren. However, some groups have taken advantage of the people's suffering instead of trying to alleviate or even eradicate the problem.
P.M. SUSBANDONO
Tangerang, West Java