Aceh needs more attention

The Indonesian government leaders, especially the House of Representatives must remember that the nation is tired of waiting to see true progress in the improvement of the lives of the Acehnese.

There needs to be much more help and attention from the government, to improve the living conditions in Aceh. From overseas we have seen in the media that not much is being done to help the women and children in Aceh.

The fact that GAM members are still unemployed needs to be addressed fast by the leaders in the House. The maintenance of national integrity of which Aceh is part of depends on fast action by the government leaders in Jakarta.

This concern is important if we want to prevent foreign intervention again. The late president Sukarno succeeded in uniting Aceh with the Republic of Indonesia, while the last two presidents seemed to risk it. Where is the wisdom of the present leaders?

We, as people who were born in Sumatra, feel and can see the government only cares about the stomachs of the people of Java. Aceh has gas and oil, but they are being exploited by the leaders.

CAMELIA PARDEDE, Auckland, New Zealand