Approaches to Aceh

Approaches to Aceh

After many circles have noisily questioned the presence of
the Crack Mass Riot Troops (PPRM), there is now a new idea to
settle the issue of Aceh. As with the strong suggestions that the
security apparatus should be withdrawn, many people have now
voiced structural and cultural approaches. These two approaches
are expected to be able to replace the security approach, which
is considered a failure after its implementation for a
considerable period.

As a community member who keeps abreast of developments in
Aceh, I may be one of the few people who do not like to imitate
others. I will try to see things objectively. The proposed
structural approach would involve the House of Representatives,
and the cultural approach would involve community figures and
religious elders. Of course, we agree that these two approaches
may be the best for the Acehnese, in particular, and for all
Indonesians in general.

Yet, we also must consider the existence of the Free Aceh
Movement (GAM), which has received weapons from foreign quarters,
or at least from foreign agents operating in our country under
the guise of local or international non-governmental
organizations. It is obvious that GAM would like to separate Aceh
from the rest of the Republic of Indonesia. It is therefore
difficult to accommodate this wish in the framework of the
structural and cultural approaches. In other words, these two
approaches are good for the Acehnese only, but not for GAM.

I do not belittle the significance of these two approaches but
it would be better to put these approaches into practice in Aceh.
Applying these approaches will be better than just talking
noisily about them to heat up the situation. Those born in Aceh
or sympathizing with Aceh should help calm the situation and
should not stage demonstrations. If these two approaches are
applied to the Acehnese and bear fruit, something of significance
will have been accomplished for the future of the Acehnese.

For the sake of a successful settlement, we should not rely on
these two approaches only. We need to be ready with our own
weapons to face the possibility of the use of arms by GAM, which
wishes to separate Aceh from the rest of the motherland.
Therefore, the approaches to be applied in Aceh must be
conscientious, serious, integrated and comprehensive, coupled
with the good intentions of the entire nation to ensure that Aceh
remains an inseparable part of Indonesia.

DEDE UTOMO

Jakarta