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 As with the strong suggestions that the security apparatus should be withdrawn, many people have now voiced structural and cultural approaches.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