Aceh special autonomy bill cops flack from experts

JAKARTA (JP): Experts warned House of Representatives legislators on Thursday of constitutional offenses resulting from the adoption of special autonomy status in Aceh, based on a bill currently being deliberated by the lawmakers.

Speaking at a hearing with members of the House's special committee for the draft's deliberation, natural resources expert Maria S.W. Sumardjono and political observers Fachry Ali and Chusnul Mariyah suggested that certain articles in the bill could lead to the creation of an Aceh state.

Maria drew specific attention to the presence of qanun (Aceh constitution) in the draft, which she deemed as violating the 1945 Constitution.

"It would be different if we agreed to adopt a federal system, in which each state could apply its own laws. But we are still recognizing Indonesia as a unitary state," she said.

The draft, also known as the bill on special autonomy status for Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam, also concerns the utilization of land, forest and mineral resources. Maria criticized the bill for not clearly outlining the province's authority regarding those matters.

"If everything should fall under the Nanggroe (institution authorized to deal with all matters related to Aceh customs), then what happens to non-Acehnese people who possess land in the province?

"We should prevent the possibility of shifting authority from Jakarta to the Aceh government, instead of Aceh people. It will lead to new human rights violations," she said.

She suggested that the draft accommodate as many related national regulations as possible to make it less controversial.

"It does not mean I am against the draft, but we have to be aware of these possibilities," she said.

Fachry said the struggle for power between Jakarta, the local government and the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) separatist rebels should be taken into account during the deliberation.

"So, when the draft is endorsed, there will be certainty about who holds the authority and controls the power, because we all know that currently these groups are fighting for influence in Aceh," Fachry said.

He also urged the House to verify whether the draft, which came from the provincial councillors, really represented the Aceh people's aspirations.

Chusnul criticized the possibility of implementing Islamic Law in the province, saying many problems would arise as a result.

"I am not against Islamic law, but we have to admit that such a law could lead to violence against women, who make up 75 percent of the whole Acehnese population," Chusnul said.

"It needs further discussion and definition as to what aspects of life Islamic Law can apply and there should be a discourse on women's rights under the law," she said.

Meanwhile an Air Force officer from Aceh's Iskandar Muda Air Base was found dead with severe cut wounds to the face and arm in Banda Aceh, capital of disputed Aceh province, on Thursday morning, officials said.

Iskandar Muda Air Base commander Maj. Eris Widodo said that locals found the body of First Sgt. Roy Irawan, floating on the river with his hands tied to the trunk of a banana tree, in the Gampong Jawa area of Kuta Alem district.

Officer Eris said that Roy was last seen by fellow air force personnel on Wednesday during routine afternoon sports activities.

"After that he went to Banda Aceh on a motorbike to go shopping but the officer failed to return to the base," Eris was quoted by Antara as saying.

The air base is located about 15 kilometers away from Banda Aceh. The body was later taken to Zainoel Abidin General Hospital. (dja/edt)