Acehnese flock to Sabang

BANDA ACEH, Aceh: Thousands of Acehnese flocked to Indonesia's westernmost tip, the island of Sabang to spend their long weekend away from heightened tension in the restive province.

Acehnese from the regencies of Pidie, North Aceh and Aceh Besar, where fighting between rebel and government troops has been particularly heavy, began arriving on Sabang on Friday, which was a Christian holiday.

All hotel rooms were full and the ferry connecting Sabang with the provincial capital Banda Aceh had to operate twice a day as opposed to the usual once a day.

A local community leader in Sabang, Adnan Hasyim, said Sabang became popular since Jakarta lifted port duties on the island to promote trade activities in 2000.

It is the only place in Aceh that is relatively free of fighting by the Free Aceh Movement (GAM). Tension has returned in much of Aceh after a peace deal with GAM is at risk of breaking down. -- Antara