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)