Aceh belongs to 'Indonesia Raya'
Aceh belongs to 'Indonesia Raya'
Observing the present situation which has been developing in
Aceh, we have every reason to be concerned about the existence of
the unitary state.
Many people have predicted violence or perhaps war will break
out. So, let us all pray to God that it will not materialize.
Because Aceh is intrinsically part of the Indonesian unitary
state. War is surely not the best way to solve the problem.
To serve the purpose, all violence must be halted. They should
also stop driving away nonAcehnese residents in Aceh. The
Acehnese refugees have suffered a lot.
President Abdurrahman Wahid has made a number of trips to
foreign countries seemingly seeking international support to
exercise pressure on GAM, and at the same time to break up the
concentration of people who are in favor of a referendum. The
tour succeeded in getting support from ASEAN countries, Arab
nations, the U.S. and Japan. However, we should not be so naive
to neglect the real potential of GAM within the Acehnese
community.
International support is vital for a country opting for
independence. It is here GAM has proved to be very weak, despite
significant support from the Acehnese themselves.
Meanwhile, the government is against the Acehnese's demand for
a referendum. The government flatly rejects it and only wants to
grant large-scale autonomy. On the other hand, GAM has made a
referendum their unshakable bargaining tool.
Will there be a war? It looks like the Acehnese have been
examining the possibility. Government apparatuses there are no
longer respected. Civilians carry guns as they like, there is no
law enforcement and GAM members are mixing with the community.
Nevertheless, the Acehnese will face many challenges and
hurdles, because an independence referendum cannot be conducted
by the Acehnese alone, instead it must involve all Indonesian
people.
Aceh intrinsically belongs to Indonesia Raya (Great
Indonesia).
YUKASRI
Jakarta
Observing the present situation which has been developing in
Aceh, we have every reason to be concerned about the existence of
the unitary state.
Many people have predicted violence or perhaps war will break
out. So, let us all pray to God that it will not materialize.
Because Aceh is intrinsically part of the Indonesian unitary
state. War is surely not the best way to solve the problem.
To serve the purpose, all violence must be halted. They should
also stop driving away nonAcehnese residents in Aceh. The
Acehnese refugees have suffered a lot.
President Abdurrahman Wahid has made a number of trips to
foreign countries seemingly seeking international support to
exercise pressure on GAM, and at the same time to break up the
concentration of people who are in favor of a referendum. The
tour succeeded in getting support from ASEAN countries, Arab
nations, the U.S. and Japan. However, we should not be so naive
to neglect the real potential of GAM within the Acehnese
community.
International support is vital for a country opting for
independence. It is here GAM has proved to be very weak, despite
significant support from the Acehnese themselves.
Meanwhile, the government is against the Acehnese's demand for
a referendum. The government flatly rejects it and only wants to
grant large-scale autonomy. On the other hand, GAM has made a
referendum their unshakable bargaining tool.
Will there be a war? It looks like the Acehnese have been
examining the possibility. Government apparatuses there are no
longer respected. Civilians carry guns as they like, there is no
law enforcement and GAM members are mixing with the community.
Nevertheless, the Acehnese will face many challenges and
hurdles, because an independence referendum cannot be conducted
by the Acehnese alone, instead it must involve all Indonesian
people.
Aceh intrinsically belongs to Indonesia Raya (Great
Indonesia).
YUKASRI
Jakarta