Acehnese feel sideline over Puteh
Nani Afrida and Tiarma Siboro, Banda Aceh/Jakarta
Acehnese people will again have to face the bitter reality of the government's failure to consult and to take into account their aspirations every time it takes a major policy decision, even though the decision will greatly affect their lives.
President Megawati Soekarnoputri made up her mind last week to replace Aceh Governor Abdullah Puteh, who has been declared a suspect in a corruption case. Home minister Hari Sabarno also confirmed the President's plan on Saturday.
Aceh Legislative Council, however, has not been informed at all about the plan to fire Puteh, which means that he will not be able to finish his five-year term in 2006.
"We have not heard anything about the plan. We only know about it from the media," said Azhari Basyar, deputy chief of the legislative body, when contacted by The Jakarta Post on Sunday evening.
Azhari said he had checked all factions in the council and none knew about the new development. The Golkar politician said he was surprised at the government's move because the council had not received official notification about it.
Separately, Councillor Nasir Djamil supported the government's plan to replace Puteh, saying that he was also implicated in several other corruption cases.
"I heard about the plan to replace Puteh and I think it is good news. I also heard that several candidates have been proposed to the President, some of them former servicemen. Personally, I don't mind if Jakarta picks a suitable candidate to rule Aceh, even if he is not an Acehnese," he told the Post.
The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has declared Puteh a suspect over the markup in the purchase of a Russian-made Mi-2 helicopter. The markup has cost the state Rp 4 billion (US$440,000) in losses.
Meanwhile, KPK deputy chairman Erry Riyana Hardjapamekas said the KPK would meet the President on Monday morning, to discuss the commission's instruction to her to fire the governor.
"We are following Law No. 30/2002 on the KPK, which stipulates that the commission has the authority to order the superior of a suspect to suspend (or fire) the suspect," Erry said, when asked about the focus of their discussions with Megawati.
The KPK sent last week an official letter to Megawati ordering Puteh's suspension after he twice ignored the commission's summons. Last week, however, he fulfilled the summons.
Initially, the Indonesian Military (TNI) was very outspoken in criticizing the governor; however, its position has shifted recently without any public explanation. Minister Hari has also changed his stance.
Megawati, reportedly, is giving consideration to replacing Puteh with either a former minister or a former governor.
"If, during the meeting, the President asks anything else about the Puteh case, we (the KPK) are open to discussing it," Erry said.
Meanwhile, Aceh Military Operations Commander Maj. Gen. Endang Suwarya claimed that up to 4,000 suspected members of the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) had been killed, captured or surrendered during the military offensive launched there a year ago.
"The total number of GAM members was reduced by almost one half by an all-out military offensive launched in May last year," Endang said.