Govt moves toward imposing civil emergency in Aceh

Edith Hartanto and Yogita Tahilramani, The Jakarta Post, Surabaya

As the Acehnese fearfully await a government decision that may impose a state of civil emergency, Minister of Home Affairs Hari Sabarno slammed the local Aceh administration on Monday for its sluggish action in solving the prolonged conflict in the region.

Hari said civilian leaders' failure to solve the conflict would ultimately lead to the imposition of a civil emergency status in Aceh.

"Even though I was a military general, don't think that I like the idea of implementing military status in Aceh. It is supposed to be civilian order, in which the military and the police are put under the supervision of a civilian administration.

"The worst possible scenario would be a civilian emergency status for Aceh and not a military emergency," Hari, a retired three-star general, said after addressing the Muhammadiyah Youth congress in Surabaya.

Separately, Army Chief of Staff Gen. Ryamizard Ryacudu said on Monday that the government must consider the implementation of civil emergency status in the troubled province.

He contended that the current situation, where many civilians have been killed, had already warranted an upgrade to civilian emergency.

"Do you think that the security situation in Aceh is under control? If it was OK, what would you say about the series of killings, arsons and abductions held by the Free Aceh Movement (GAM)?" Ryamizard said at the Army's Headquarters in Central Jakarta.

"I guess only ignorant people would say that Aceh is safe," he added.

Meanwhile, Hari said that it was the duty of civilian leaders to ensure that there was security in their respective areas.

"So far the administration has not been effective enough because those officials are only waiting for the police and military to take action. The Acehnese also have to pull themselves together because whatever decision the government needs to take, it is for the sake of their future," Hari said.

Along with other government officials, Hari is due to visit Aceh this week to conduct an evaluation of security there following an operation to restore security, and whether it needs to be upgraded to civilian emergency status.

As the authority to uphold civilian supremacy, the Acehnese administration along with the public, determines the security and the political, economic and social affairs for their region, he said.

The minister also said that the path for an all-inclusive dialog was still open on Aceh matters, between the government and the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) separatists, along with all elements of Acehnese society, such as community leaders and ulemas.

"The chance for a dialog is always open," he said.

The government has been mulling over plans to implement a military emergency in resource-rich Aceh in a move to get rid of GAM separatists who have been fighting for an independent Islamic state since the mid-1970s.

President Megawati Soekarnoputri, a strong nationalist, has flatly rejected secessionist demands and instead granted special autonomy status to the province. She also ordered a firm security crackdown against the rebels.

Megawati's leniency toward the military has also raised questions of whether she is really serious about holding a dialog with the general public and separatist rebels.

Acehnese have been living in terror over the past four decades amid guerrilla activities and 10 years of military operations in the region, which were finally scrapped by the then Armed Forces chief Gen. Wiranto in 1998, soon after the downfall of former president Soeharto.

The government's plan to impose a military emergency in Aceh has renewed fear in the Acehnese, as thousands have died over the years from atrocities committed here while another 600 more were killed during this year alone. Most civilians have been pitted between security forces and the rebels in the conflict.