Civil servants in Aceh on edge over loyalty test
Civil servants in Aceh on edge over loyalty test
Nani Farida, The Jakarta Post, Banda Aceh
Anxiety prevails among civil servants in Aceh ahead of the
government's plan to screen them for loyalty to the Unitary State
of the Republic of Indonesia.
The central government has announced it will conduct a one-
month "reregistration" of civil servants nationwide starting July
1, but with additional questions for those in Aceh concerning
possible involvement with the secessionist group.
For state employees in Aceh, the screening could determine
their future careers and even their lives.
Many have expressed concern that the screening could land them
in jail should they not pass it. On the other hand, intimidation
or torture by separatists could follow if they do pass.
"GAM has guns and lists of names of civil servants. Meanwhile,
if we fail the government test, we will be considered GAM
accomplices," one civil servant, Munir, 51, told The Jakarta Post
here.
More than 20 civil servants have been detained since the
implementation of martial law in the province on May 19.
Most of the detainees have been accused of helping GAM in
collecting illegal fees from the public or donating money to
support the separatist movement's activities.
Aceh Governor Abdullah Puteh said that so far seven officials
from his office were suspected of being GAM supporters and were
being investigated by the police.
In addition, four councillors have also been detained by the
police for their alleged association with GAM.
"We are still investigating them. Most of them are suspected
of financially supporting GAM," Aceh Police spokesman Adj. Sr.
Comr. Sayed Hoesainy said.
Meanwhile, Martial Law Administrator Maj. Gen. Endang Suwarya
said that he would not hesitate to fire any civil servant with
questionable loyalty to the Republic of Indonesia.
"Those who have questionable loyalty will be removed as they
will hamper the ongoing joint operation in Aceh," Endang
remarked.
Despite the government's insistence on firing any civil
servant associated with GAM, the reasons behind one's association
with the separatist movement should not be overlooked.
A social affairs official in the province, Syarifuddin Latif,
said that there should be different treatment for those forced to
help GAM.
"Some of them help GAM at gunpoint. There should be an
interview to go with the questions as their involvement must be
proven," Syarifuddin told the Post.
Some have projected that more civil servants will be detained
after the one-month screening. Aceh has more than 65,000 civil
servants.