Acehnese need better lives, not broad autonomy

Acehnese need better lives, not broad autonomy

JAKARTA (JP): The Acehnese do not need the wide-ranging
autonomy offered by the government, but a major improvement in
their welfare, National Resilience Institute (Lemhannas) governor
Ermaya Suradinata said on Tuesday.

Ermaya said Aceh remained far from being developed despite its
abundant natural resource.

"Special autonomy is not the answer to the lingering problems
in Aceh. The people there just need to feel secure, improved
welfare and recognition as a special province. These are the
basic demands which have been left unheeded by Jakarta," Ermaya
said during a media conference at Lemhannas, which is a military
think tank.

Ermaya was commenting on the Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam bill now
being deliberated by the House of Representatives. The bill
proposes the implementation of Islamic law in the province, a
larger share of the revenue from natural resources and an
autonomous security arrangement.

The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan),
the Indonesian Military and the National Police have signaled
their opposition to the bill, saying they fear it is a threat to
national integrity.

For over two decades, Aceh has been torn apart by clashes
between government troops and separatist rebels from the Free
Aceh Movement (GAM).

The government has ruled out independence for the country's
westernmost province, but has offered special autonomy as part of
a final political solution to the problems in Aceh.

Ermaya said the bill being deliberated by the House would
prove costly for Indonesia if passed.

"Lemhannas is afraid the bill will spark national
disintegration. If the bill is passed by the House, nobody can
guarantee that other regions won't push for the same treatment.

"I'm opposing the government's policy. But my sole concern is
how to maintain the unitary state. We will fight all efforts to
break this country into pieces," he said.

Separately, the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas
HAM) questioned the military investigation into the shooting of
three humanitarian workers in Aceh on Dec. 6 last year. The three
were from the group Rehabilitation for Torture Victims in Aceh.

A statement released by the commission said the Bukit Barisan
Military Command overseeing North Sumatra and Aceh took over the
case from Komnas HAM, completed the investigation and submitted a
report to the Aceh provincial prosecutor's office in February.
The statement said the military command did not reply to requests
from the rights body for clarification about the investigation.

Four civilians and four soldiers have been named suspects in
the case, according to the internal military investigation.

By law, Komnas HAM and the Attorney General's Office are the
only two institutions authorized to investigate crimes against
humanity. (02/bby)