Aceh needs more attention

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