Be firm with separatism

Be firm with separatism

From Koran Tempo

The signing of the Treaty on the Cessation of Hostilities on Dec. 9, 2002, in Geneva by the Republic of Indonesia and the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) led to the hope that the conflict in Aceh, which has been going on for 26 year, would end and peace would prevail.

Unfortunately, despite the signing of this peace pact, violence has continued, including raids, assaults, extortion, kidnappings, and shootings. The Joint Security Committee assigned to implement the peace pact cannot do much in this respect.

Although post-Soeharto Indonesian governments have tried to solve the Aceh conflict amicably, negotiations with the separatist GAM are yet to produce the desired results.

The two are quite opposite in their stances. GAM does not wish to compromise in their demand for independence for Aceh, while for the Republic of Indonesia Aceh is an inseparable part of the state and any attempt at secession is construed as an attempt to overthrow the legitimate government.

Nowhere on earth can separatism be justified. If a separatist group takes up arms, this is tantamount to waging rebellion. Obviously, rebellion must be crushed. It is the authority of the Indonesian Military and the National Police to maintain the sovereignty of the nation and the state. Therefore, there must be no hesitation in maintaining the integrity of the unitary state of the Republic of Indonesia.

ABDUL FATAH Jakarta