Aceh special autonomy bill cops flack from experts

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)