GAM, BRR can work together, with mutual trust

The chairman of the Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Agency for Aceh and Nias (BRR), Kuntoro Mangkusubroto, talked with Tiarma Siboro on the impact of the signing of the peace agreement between the government and the Free Aceh Movement (GAM). The following is an excerpt from the interview:

Question: Following the signing of the deal, have there been any significant changes to your policies?

Answer: Actually, there have not been any significant changes to our policies. But, of course, the signing of the peace agreement between the government and GAM has given us a security assurance, which helps us to be more focused on our main tasks here. As you know, there are so many local and foreign volunteers who must continue working even after night falls, and if we are not sure about the security situation, then how we can perform well in carrying out our tasks.

The BRR has been asked to accommodate former members of GAM in the rehabilitation and reconstruction process in Aceh. Have you planned for this?

We will follow up the policy, as it has been outlined in the memorandum of understanding (MOU). It says that GAM has the right to propose candidates for staff members of the BRR at all levels. We are ready to accommodate them because the BRR has an interest in seeing a successful rehabilitation and reconstruction process.

But, of course, we have already formulated guidelines for the recruitment process: that the BRR should remain a non-political agency comprising professionals that promotes transparency while carrying out its job. We did conduct a study aimed at preparing our policies to support the peace process in Aceh, and we are now awaiting direction from Jakarta to help us implement our policies.

What kind of policies?

As of today, we are yet to go into detail on what our new policies will be as we are awaiting further direction from Jakarta or/and dialog with GAM members. What we can do right now is to prepare applications for GAM members, in case they are interested in working for the BRR, and we hope that GAM will respond after Jakarta makes its policy clear on these issues. But, this agency is a non-political one. We have been set up for humanitarian reasons.

Will the BRR provide specific training for GAM members?

The BRR has been formed as a streamlined organization but has giant tasks before it. Now, we already have about 80 professional staff members, who need no specific training as we recruited them to work for four years with the organization. And, of course, the same criteria will also be imposed on the recruitment of former GAM members. But I believe that the BRR and GAM can forge a mutual cooperation by all means.

Can the BRR take a role in the rehabilitation process in villages known to be GAM strongholds?

The BRR has been set up merely to deal with the post-tsunami rehabilitation and reconstruction process. We are not planning any course of action for villages known to be GAM strongholds as we have left that matter to the local authorities. And we certainly support any concept that the local authorities have for the rehabilitation of those villages, and also the reintegration of former GAM members into society.

Can you elaborate further?

If the villages were affected by the tsunami, of course, we have to take over the rehabilitation and reconstruction process in those places -- such as rebuilding roads, houses and public health centers. The BRR must deal with matters that are crucial to the people, including GAM members, and we will do so because it is our responsibility, and we will also invite them (GAM members) to join us.

How would you evaluate the performance of the BRR so far?

I am happy that we can carry out our tasks and have made some progress. We consider the signing of the peace deal between the government and GAM a strong indication that we should continue with our programs. I am sure that we can rapidly implement the approved project to rebuild Aceh. And I believe that the BRR can still continue with its mission while waiting for the new policy from Jakarta in connection with the signing of the peace agreement in Helsinki.