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.