Allowing GAM to take part in election might end violence
Nani Farida and Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Banda Aceh/Jakarta
Acehnese figures welcomed on Monday a proposal to allow the separatist Free Aceh Movement (GAM) to participate in elections, saying it would bolster efforts for a peaceful and fair solution to problems in the province.
Aceh Governor Abdullah Puteh, meanwhile, confirmed that talks between representatives of GAM and Jakarta would take place on Oct. 27 and Oct. 28 in Geneva.
Bachtiar Aly, an analyst on Acehnese affairs, said a political approach would gain much support because it would have the potential to reduce casualties and bring about a peaceful solution.
"That (idea) will be acceptable among the public because it offers a lower social cost," said Bachtiar here on Monday, referring to the many casualties resulted from gunfights in the province over the years.
Acehnese politician Ghazali Abbas Adan concurred with Bachtiar, saying that the most important thing was that peace could be restored in Aceh.
Both, however, emphasized that Jakarta played a major role in determining whether or not the separatist group would be allowed to contest elections.
The idea to give GAM a chance to participate in elections was recently aired by Smita Notosusanto from the Center for Electoral Reform (Cetro).
She said GAM should be put to the test to determine whether or not it really enjoy widespread support from the people, and that an election could serve as a test for GAM as to whether or not it could solicit support through peaceful means.
Smita added that allowing GAM to contest elections would serve as an incentive to the separatist group to lay down its arms and end hostilities.
If GAM wins a local election, it would have the opportunity to obtain positions in the provincial and district administration.
But a GAM spokesman, Teuku, Kamaruzzaman rejected the idea, saying that it would not solve the basic problems in Aceh.
He, however, emphasized that the conflict in Aceh was not a social conflict, therefore the proposal would not solve the problems.
"The most accurate solution is a self-determination vote through a referendum. We will see whether or not people in Aceh want independence," Kamaruzzaman told The Jakarta Post.
Bachtiar, who will soon take up an ambassadorial post in Egypt, emphasized that whether or not GAM became a political party was only a means, not the ultimate goal.
The most important goal, he said, was the creation of peace in the resource-rich province.
According to him, both GAM and Jakarta should continue to follow up the agreement between the two camps made in May, which said that GAM accepted Jakarta's offer of greater autonomy for Aceh and vowed to end violence.
During the dialog, the government and GAM agreed that Law No.18/2001 on Nangroe Aceh Darussalam could be used as a starting point for an Aceh resolution.
The law gives special autonomy to Aceh, allowing it to implement Islamic sharia law and retain a greater share of its oil and gas revenues.
"Whether or not GAM will become a political party will depend on further talks," Bachtiar added.
Ghazali, co-chairman of the splinter United Development Party (PPP) Reformasi, added that he fully backed the idea to promote GAM as a political party.
Allowing GAM to contest elections, Ghazali said, would mean government recognition of the group, which in turn would help reduce violence.