Death threats prevent former rebels from returning home

Nani Afrida, The Jakarta Post, Banda Aceh

Dailami, 31, could not hide the sadness on his face during the conclusion of the third phase of the rehabilitation program for former Aceh Freedom Movement (GAM) members.

He was one of 340 former Aceh Separatist Movement (GSA) rebels at the Education Excellence Institute (LPMP) in Ladong, Aceh Besar, who were being released after undergoing a guidance program for three months. "I'm very touched and relieved," Dailami, the former GAM governor of Linge territory, told The Jakarta Post recently.

He recounted that the situation in Aceh had forced him to become a governor of the separatist movement.

At the end of 2000, Dailami started a farm in Central Aceh. As the location was frequently traversed by armed rebels, he claimed that he eventually joined the movement for the sake of safety. He was later appointed as the governor of the Linge area.

Besides Dailami, 1,681 other ex-rebels have been drilled at the LPMP institute in Ladong. The rebels, along with their sympathizers, received guidance on nationalism and Islamic studies, and acquired training in auto repair, agriculture, animal husbandry, tailoring and farming.

Dailami had good reason to feel satisfied, with his wife and two children expecting him, and a handout of Rp 2.5 million (US$280.00) from the government as starting capital to raise chickens.

He had previously lived in fear and constant anxiety. He moved from one forest to another during the first three months of the martial law period in Aceh. He surrendered to the authorities for two reasons: he was scared, and he was hungry.

The only things that Dailami wished for after undergoing the rehabilitation program was to live in peace, and to not return to Central Aceh where he still owns a piece of farmland.

Other former GAM members and their compatriots have their own plans for starting a new life. Most of them have opted not to return to their villages for safety reasons.

Four ex-rebels, for instance, have pooled their Rp 2.5 million in funds to open an auto workshop in North Aceh. They were part of the first batch of former rebels rehabilitated at the institute in Reuleut, North Aceh.

"We don't dare return to our villages, so we'll just set up business in the town area," said 25-year-old Muhammad.

A junior high school graduate, Verawati, was of the same opinion. She surrendered to Indonesian military forces because she felt guilty after being trained in marching by GAM forces.

After going through the program, she decided to live in Bireun and open a tailor shop. She had vowed not to return to her village of Mee in Peudada district.

"There are still many GAM rebels in my village," she said smiling.

There is no guarantee that the situation in their places of origin is safe, even though security personnel have given their word to protect them.

Based on media reports, more than 10 GAM rebels, who had completed the government rehabilitation programs and gone home, were later found shot dead during the civil emergency period.

It is therefore understandable that the former GAM members and their sympathizers are reluctant to return to their home villages.

The government launched major offensive attacks against GAM in May last year, which was followed by the imposition of martial law in the war-torn province.

Martial law status was lifted in May this year, after improvements in the security situation there.