Aceh regent orders more raids on GAM

Aceh regent orders more raids on GAM

Apriadi Gunawan, The Jakarta Post, Langsa

East Aceh Regent Azman Usmanuddin has ordered the local police
and military to crack down on the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) and
capture its spokesman Tengku Ishak Daud to restore security and
order in the regency.

"I have ordered local security authorities to raid the
separatist movement's base in the regency and to capture its
leader Ishak Daud, dead or alive," he told The Jakarta Post here
on Thursday.

Azman was responding to Ishak who had ordered rebels to
capture him and the chairman of the East Aceh Legislative Council
whom GAM have accused of being responsible for the killing of 31
employees of oil palm plantation PT Bumi Flora in Idi Rayeuk,
Perlak, last March.

He declined to comment on the tragedy, saying: "The case is
being investigated by the National Commission of Human Rights. I
won't give any comment until the investigation is completed."

He said separatist activities which were increasing in the
regency must be halted to allow local people to live peacefully
and the local development program to run smoothly.

Asked to comment on GAM's statement that councillor Ghazali
Usman who was set free by GAM last Monday had resigned from the
legislature, Azman said Ghazali was still a member of the
legislative council.

"After his release, I did not hear any statement from Ghazali
that he had quit his job. He is still a councillor and he has a
right to receive his honorarium and allowances," he said.

Ghazali is a legislator of the local chapter of the United
Development Party (PPP).

He said GAM had no authority to determine Ghazali's status as
a councillor, except if he resigned voluntarily.

Ghazali was released on Monday after being held hostage by GAM
for 98 days. He was suspected of being involved in the Idi Rayeuk
tragedy.

Meanwhile, Yunus Usman, Ghazali's eldest brother, said that
Ghazali along with his wife and their five children had left for
Palembang in South Sumatra on Wednesday for medical treatment, at
the request of his eldest son First Insp. Zahrul.

Besides being traumatized by his abduction ordeal, Ghazali
needs intensive medical treatment, as he has suffered from
hepatitis and gastric problems for a long time, Yunus said.

"Upon relatives' suggestion, Ghazali accepted his son's
invitation to leave for Palembang to rest while undergoing
medical treatment," he said.

Yunus declined to comment on the political issues behind
Ghazali's abduction and release. "The most important thing is
that he has been released, said Yunus."