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.