Government blamed for separatist movements
JAKARTA (JP): Separatist movements in some parts of the country, including Aceh, have been -- historically -- the result of the government's failure to realize the goal of the nation to be free, noted historian Anhar Gonggong said on Wednesday.
"Aceh has been suffering from various 'illnesses' since the Dutch Colonial era. The Acehnese have been bullied for too long," he told media at his office.
"The only way to deal with the situation is to speed up the rehabilitation, compensation for the (human rights violations) victims and stop the violence," Anhar, who is also Director for History and Museum at the Ministry of National Education, said.
"Give Aceh a free space within this unitary state. Let the Acehnese exercise Syariah Islam (Islamic law). At the same time give freedom to Aceh residents who are non-Muslims," he said.
He said he recently told a gathering of Acehnese that there was no guarantee that if Aceh went free, the conflicts would end.
"History also recorded that (former president) Soeharto, who practiced a political and economic system of ignoring culture and traditional values, had torn down the traditional system by issuing Law No. 5/1974 on state administration."
"The law has terminated all roles of traditional leadership and the result is that we find it difficult to resolve unrest in Aceh, Irian Jaya and other parts of the country. There are no informal or traditional leaders to look to," he said.
The adoration of the Aceh Separatists Movement (GAM) patron Hassan di Tiro as well as GAM armed wing leaders was the manifestation of cumulative disappointment with the government, Anhar cited.
Anhar, however, expressed his confidence that Aceh and Irian Jaya would remain in the republic.
In the Aceh capital of Banda Aceh some 50 students of the Ar- Raniry Darussalam State Institute for Islamic Studies rallied in front of the Aceh Police Headquarters on Wednesday, demanding that police immediately release activist Muhammad Nazar.
The protesters failed to meet Aceh Police chief Brig. Gen. Chaerul R. Rasyidi, who was out of town.
Nazar, the chairman of the Information Center of Aceh Referendum (SIRA), has been detained since Nov. 20 for creating public disorder during the commemoration of the Indonesian Independence day on Aug. 17. SIRA members displayed banners calling Indonesia "Neo Colonialist".
Meanwhile, violence continued in many areas of the restive province on Wednesday.
In Matang Geleumpang Dua in Bireun regency, police Second Pvt. John Heriadi was shot dead by GAM militiamen. North Aceh Police chief Supt. Abadan Bangko confirmed the incident, saying that John and Second. Pvt. Ichsan were on motorcycle patrol when GAM rebels shot them at 2 a.m. local time, Wednesday. "Ichsan was severely injured."
In Idie Rayeuk, East Aceh, Army Second Sgt. Amin Nur was shot by two gunmen who came to his shop late Tuesday night. "He is now being treated in a hospital in Medan, North Sumatra," Dr. Zuli Abdulrachman of the local health center, said.
Also in East Aceh, a 36-year-old civilian, identified as Erwin was shot dead by unknown men who approached him at a bus shelter in the village of Sungai Raya, in Rantau Selamat district late Tuesday night. (50/edt/lup/sur)