Acehnese feel sideline over Puteh

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.