Govt to decide on Aceh martial law

JAKARTA: The government will decide on Monday whether to extend the martial law that has been imposed in Aceh since May 19.

Secretary to the Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs, Sudi Silalahi, said on Thursday the decision would be taken during a limited Cabinet meeting presided over by President Megawati Soekarnoputri.

He said his office had proposed three options: extending the martial law for six months, extending the martial law only in those areas of the province prone to conflicts or downgrading the martial law to a civil emergency.

Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, who is in charge of day-to-day implementation of the martial law, said after a recent visit to the province that the security situation had greatly improved after five months of martial law. -- JP