Aceh governor will not head civil emergency

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.