Acehnese flock to Sabang

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