Family of Acehnese seeks help

BANDA ACEH, Aceh: The family of a missing Acehnese, believed to have been kidnapped while selling rambutan fruit, requested the company of councillors in asking the local police of the whereabouts of their family member.

Khatijah, mother of missing Fikaruddin, said she wanted to know where her son was being kept, or if he were dead, where he was buried.

"My eyes may be old, but I will keep looking for my son," Khatijah said.

Another family member said: "Every time a body is found, we came to see but our brother was not among them."

Fikaruddin is believed to have been kidnapped seven months ago while selling rambutan at Simpang Lima, Banda Aceh.

Councillor Said Muchsin promised to accompany the family to the Aceh Police Headquarters.

More than 400 people have died this year from fighting between government forces and the Free Aceh Movement (GAM). -- JP