Condemnation pours in on school burning in Aceh

JAKARTA (JP): Officials and analysts have condemned the burning of at least 50 school buildings in the troubled Aceh province, saying that the attacks were committed by people wanting to obstruct human resource development in the province.

"We condemn such criminal acts. Whatever the reason, attacking schools, places of worship, hospitals and other public facilities cannot be tolerated, as it only hurts the public," former education minister Juwono Sudarsono told The Jakarta Post here on Saturday.

He said that the arson attacks were committed by those who do not want to see the Aceh problem resolved peacefully because, if such a process were successful, they would have no further role in Aceh.

He also reminded that there is an "unwritten rule" that those involved in conflict should never attack public facilities.

Any group attacking public facilities will only discredit themselves as the people will recognize that their actions hurt them.

"If they want to win sympathy from the public, they should protect public interests," he said.

Education analyst Muchtar Buchori said the burning of the school buildings was committed by those who do not want to see a bright future for the country.

"They want to see the nation go backward. They don't understand the meaning of education," Buchori told the Post.

Previously, Coordinating Minister for People's Welfare Jusuf Kalla said that the government would rebuild the 50 school buildings reported to have been burned by an armed group.

He also expressed hope that the people would assist the government in preventing similar incidents from occurring in the province.

"We will rebuild the school buildings. I hope that the people will help the government fight against criminal acts aimed at disrupting the development of human resources," Kalla said.

Meanwhile, it was reported from Aceh that the Indonesian Military (TNI) and the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) blame each other for the arson attacks.

Security Restoring Operation Task Force spokesman Adj. Sr. Comr. Sad Harun stated that dozens of schools had been burned by GAM rebels during the last few days.

"The Aceh armed separatist groups have lost their minds. They are frustrated because now the people of Aceh know who they really are. They ignored the group's ban to celebrate Indonesia's Independence Day," Harun said.

"We condemn the school fires," he said, adding that the security officers had uncovered evidence, including assembled bombs, cable, fuel containers and batteries.

GAM military spokesman Teungku Sofyan Dawod said in a press statement that the TNI and police should be blamed for the arson as they had burned hundreds of schools in regencies of Each Aceh, North Aceh, Pidie, Banda Aceh, West Aceh and South Aceh between Aug. 12 and 15.

"We strongly condemn the criminal attacks conducted by the military and police, which have destroyed education facilities. They must be held responsible for such actions," Sofyan Dawod was quoted by Antara as saying.

He said, however, that GAM would continue attacking security posts across Aceh. "Therefore, people should be cautious of possible attacks," he said. (02/dja)