Govt to change approach on restive provinces

Ibnu Mat Noor, The Jakarta Post, Banda Aceh

Vice President Hamzah Haz says the government is trying to change its approaches to restive provinces such as Aceh and Irian Jaya in order to reduce violence and promote people's welfare.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of a seminar titled Pembangunan Menuju Aceh Baru (Developing a New Aceh) in Banda Aceh, Hamzah said excessive political and security approaches by previous governments had only worsened conflicts in Aceh.

"The current government is trying to balance the political and security approaches with the people's welfare," said Hamzah, adding: "Political and security approaches are needed to some extent."

He also appealed to Acehnese to help the government create political stability in the province so that the government can carry out economic developments necessary for the people's prosperity.

Muhammadiyah's Aceh chapter chairman Imam Syuja' said that Hamzah's confession was a step forward by the government regarding Aceh.

"Now, how can security personnel here make a good move toward the people of Aceh? So far they have only frightened the people," said Syuja'.

Meanwhile, just one day after Aceh figures and Hamzah agreed that violence must be stopped and negotiations promoted, a legislator from Pidie regency was shot dead in a mosque in Sigli on Friday.

Military spokesman in Aceh Lt. Col. Firdaus confirmed the murder of Zaini Ali, 65.

"He was shot in the front yard of the Runtoh mosque in Sigli at about 2:30 p.m.," Firdaus said.

At that time, Hamzah had left Banda Aceh and was returning to Jakarta after a three-day visit to the restive province.

Sigli is around 115 kilometers east of the capital of Banda Aceh.

Firdaus said that he had not received any detailed reports about the shooting.

The head of Sigli General Hospital, Fuad Arsyad, told The Jakarta Post that Zaini had died before reaching the hospital.

"There were three gunshot wounds: in the head, chest and arm," Fuad said.

Locals said that Zaini had chaired the Crescent Star Party's Pidie chapter after retiring from his post as the head of the Pidie regency inspectorate office.

Before joining the Crescent Star Party, Zaini had been a member of the Golkar Party in Pidie.

"Three months ago, Zaini had to spend the night at the Pidie regency pavilion after his house in the village of Tijue was set ablaze by unidentified people. Since then, his wife and children have been living in Banda Aceh," a local said, requesting anonymity.

Zaini was the tenth public figure to be shot dead by unknown assassins in the past two years. (See table)