From E. Timor to Aceh

From E. Timor to Aceh

Indonesia's modern history closed an unhappy, if not tragic,
chapter this week with the ending of its often brutal 24-year
rule in East Timor. Any claim to the territory, legitimate or
otherwise, ended with the hand over of security arrangements in
East Timor from the Indonesian Military (TNI) to The
International Force for East Timor (Interfet). According to the
Indonesian Constitution, the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR)
must still approve the separation of East Timor, a move that is
expected to be a mere formality.

Unlike the situation in 1976 when the MPR formally annexed
East Timor, this time Indonesia cannot act against the popular
wishes of East Timorese for independence, as expressed in the
result of the Aug. 30 ballot. Indonesia no longer has any claim,
legitimate or otherwise, to East Timor. Whatever happens there is
no longer its responsibility. This does not absolve us from the
atrocities and human rights abuses committed during our illegal
occupation there, and certainly not from ones committed after
Aug. 30.

The destruction left behind by Indonesia has virtually undone
any of its good deeds in East Timor. And it certainly rules
Indonesia out from any rightful claim to compensation for the
investment. At a time like this, Indonesia must do some deep soul
searching. Where did we go wrong, and what can we learn from this
unhappy affair?

Unfortunately, many people in this country still cannot
comprehend, or do not want to comprehend, the reason why East
Timorese overwhelmingly rejected Indonesia's offer of autonomy
within the republic. Indonesia accomplished far more in terms of
bringing economic prosperity to East Timor in 24 years than
Portugal ever did in its four centuries in the territory. Per
capita income has quadrupled. The government invested heavily in
the construction of roads, bridges, schools and even churches and
East Timorese enjoyed greater access to basic education and
health services.

From this perspective, Indonesia's rule in East Timor was not
all bad. Even if Indonesia was portrayed as a colonialist power,
it did a hell of a better job than any European colonialist power
could ever claim.

Few people could deny that it is in the long-term interest of
East Timor to stay within the republic. Ethnically and
geographically, East Timor is not vastly different from West
Timor. It had a different colonial history because, sometime in
the 17th century, the Portuguese and the Dutch decided to carve
up the island into their respective possessions.

So why did East Timorese vote the way they did? Most
Indonesian government and military officials have accused the
United Nations Mission in East Timor (UNAMET) of impartiality in
administration of the Aug. 30 ballot. They feel they have been
robbed -- not just by the United Nations -- but by Australia, New
Zealand and the United States, all of whom conspired against
Indonesia, snatching East Timor out of its hands.

To make such an accusation is tantamount to saying that East
Timorese are totally ignorant about their real interests. This is
insulting to the intelligence of the East Timorese, and since the
majority have had the benefit of an Indonesian education, it also
insults the quality of our own educational system. Such an
accusation is more likely based on a desire to cover up failures
and to conveniently pass the buck.

East Timorese voted with their conscience about where their
real interest lies. They sent a message that they have had enough
of violence. They voted not only for independence, but also
against the injustices they suffered under Jakarta's rule. They
witnessed massive progress, but they also witnessed atrocities.
They weighed the alternatives and made their choice accordingly.

An honest admission that we have committed many injustices in
East Timor would go a long way in helping to preserve the unity
of this country, which has become an obsession for many people
these days. East Timorese were not alone in suffering human
rights abuses. People in Aceh and Irian Jaya would attest to
that. Many people in Java, and even in Jakarta, have also been on
the receiving end of police and military brutality. Even today,
the use of force remains the norm in settling conflicts.

After the East Timor ballot, many political analysts have
asked whether the decision by the overwhelming majority of East
Timorese to break away from Indonesia would fan separatist
sentiments in other parts of the country. The answer is yes, but
not in such a direct manner. The result will encourage people to
seek justice, or demand redress for the injustices they have
suffered. Aceh is a case in point. Separatism is only one form --
albeit an extreme one -- of saying that we have had enough.