Aceh governor will not head civil emergency

Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, Jakarta

The central government is set to establish a new administration that will be in charge of Aceh under a civil emergency in the province, citing the credibility of Governor Abdullah Puteh.

Interim coordinating minister for political and security affairs Hari Sabarno said Law No. 23/1959 on emergencies opens the possibility for such a different administrative structure should it be deemed necessary.

"Due to certain issues impinging on the credibility (of the governor), President may appoint a head of the civil emergency administration," Hari said after a limited Cabinet meeting on Monday.

The central government will also establish a team made up of officials from Jakarta to support the new administration carry out its duties.

The President will issue an instruction on Tuesday that will officially change martial law in Aceh, which has been in effect since May 19 last year, to a state of civil emergency. The decree comes will come into effect immediately after its issuance.

The decision was taken after a year of martial law to crush Free Aceh Movement (GAM) rebels.

According to the Emergencies Law, the administrator of a region under a state of civil emergency status is the governor, but exceptions are allowed in extraordinary circumstances.

Aceh Governor Puteh is currently facing allegations of involvement in a number of corruption cases. He was never been questioned as the President has not yet given her consent for his questioning.

The martial law administration has conducted a preliminary probe into the allegations, and the Attorney General's Office will take over the investigation.

Hari said that a week after the signing of the presidential instruction, the necessary ancillary regulations would be issued.

"These regulations are needed to provide guidelines on the implementation of the new structure for the civil emergency administrator," he said.

The government held a meeting with the House of Representative later on Monday to brief lawmakers regarding the changes in the status of Aceh.

Meanwhile in Aceh, thousands of students rallied in Banda Aceh demanding that Puteh resign.

Students from the state Syiah Kuala University, as well as the Ar-Raniry Institute and Muhammadiyah University, demanded that the President suspend Puteh due to his alleged involvement in graft.

The students, who staged their protest in front of the Aceh prosecutor's office, also unfurled a white banner for people to sign, expressing their rejection of Puteh.

During a meeting with the students, prosecutor's office chief Andi Amir Achmad promised to take against all those involved in graft in the province.

In front of the provincial legislature building, hundreds of people from Aceh Besar regency also demanded the resignation of Puteh and urged the central government to extend martial law in the province.