Extension of civil emergency a certainty
Fabiola Desy Unidjaja The Jakarta Post/Jakarta
The extension of the civil emergency in the troubled province of Aceh is now a foregone conclusion as the House of Representatives has thrown its support behind the government.
House Speaker Agung Laksono said on Sunday that the House had no objection to the government's plan to extend the state of civil emergency as it was in line with the view of the local legislative council.
"We have no objection to the plan. I have heard the proposal for the extension directly from local council members, and that represents the people's aspirations," Agung said after greeting President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono on Sunday, the first day of the Idul Fitri celebrations.
Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Widodo A.S. said last Friday that the current civil emergency would be kept in place in Aceh, albeit with a number of adjustments, including the areas covered and its duration.
President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono is slated to hold a meeting with House leaders on Wednesday at the State Palace to discuss the Aceh issue.
According to the law, the imposition of both a state of martial law and of civil emergency in any part of the country requires the approval of the House.
"The extension is necessary as we have to maintain the security situation in the province. According to local council members, there are still potential threats," Agung said.
Aceh has been put under a state of emergency since May 19, 2003, following the failure of peace talks between the government and leaders of the Free Aceh Movement (GAM).
Former president Megawati Soekarnoputri imposed martial law in Aceh on May 19, 2003, but reduced this to a state of civil emergency on May 19, 2004.
The six-month duration of the civil emergency will end on Friday, and the government has to decide what it wants to do after that.
Widodo said last Friday that the government would extend the civil emergency but had yet to determine its length or the areas covered.
The decision was made despite demands for the new government to revive the peace talks with GAM leaders.
"We have to further decide whether the civil emergency will only apply in certain regencies and not the whole province, as well as the duration of the extension -- for three, four or six months?" Widodo said after a limited Cabinet meeting.
Meanwhile, Army chief Gen. Ryamizard Ryacudu said that the extension of the emergency was aimed at fulfilling the public's need for security.
"We are only trying to bring about peace in Aceh and the decision to impose the emergency was taken to ensure the security of the people," Ryamizard said after participating in Idul Fitri prayers in Lhoksemawe, Aceh, last Sunday.
He said that despite of the improving security situation in the province, GAM still posed a security threat in the province, where insurgents have been fighting for independence for the resource-rich province since 1976.
The four-star general said military operations would continue until the military managed to eliminate the separatist movement.