Aceh's contribution

Aceh's contribution

From Sinar Pagi

What should we do in the context of the sufferings of the
Acehnese nowadays? Should we close our eyes to the incidents of
killings of the Acehnese and refugees? Or is there no solution in
sight for our countrymen in that part of Indonesia? Or are they
to be a mere political commodity, with a promise that "I will do
something if I hold power in the future". These are the questions
that have come to mind in the context of the nation's 54th
Independence Day celebration.

When we study history, the patriotism of the Acehnese people
is clearly depicted in how they struggled against the Dutch
colonialists in order to maintain Indonesian sovereignty. I read
in a history book that then president Sukarno greatly admired the
stoutness of the Acehnese and therefore called Aceh a "Capital
Region" for the Indonesian national struggle when almost all
Indonesian territory was recolonized by the Dutch.

It is also written in history that on Aug. 27, 1945, Teuku
Hamid Azwar Syamaun Gaharu and other ex-Giyugun officers in
Kutaraja (now Banda Aceh) established the Indonesian Youth Forum
(API). This organization became the embryo of the Indonesian
armed forces that was later called People's Security Force (TKR),
which then became the Indonesian Republic Army (TRI) and finally
renamed the Indonesian Military (TNI).

The question now is: Why don't the political elite look at
history, in which it is clearly reflected what contribution Aceh
made to the Indonesian independence struggle. Let us meditate on
history. Then consider whether we have done justice to Aceh. Let
those who are in power decide what is best for the Acehnese
people.

KAMALUDDIN PANE

Banyumas, Central Java