Govt to launch Rp 100 billion 'economic crash program' in Aceh
Govt to launch Rp 100 billion 'economic crash program' in Aceh
JAKARTA (JP): Just two days before a planned unilateral declaration of independence in Aceh, the government announced here on Saturday it would launch a Rp 100 billion "economic crash program" for the people in the volatile province.
Addressing a media conference at Merdeka Palace, Coordinating Minister for the Economy Rizal Ramli said the "immediate initiative" was designed to meet the economic and social demands of the Acehnese.
"In order to obtain the best solution and win back the hearts of the Acehnese, the central government has set up an interdepartmental task force to implement this crash program," Rizal said.
He added that the money to finance the three-month program, scheduled to begin early this month, would be drawn from "a special post" which was "specifically prepared for the regional autonomy".
The government was quick to add, however, that the initiative had nothing to do with the planned unilateral declaration of independence in Aceh on Monday.
"This has nothing to do with the plan for December 4 ... it is only a coincidence that we made the announcement at this moment," President Abdurrahman Wahid, who was also present at Saturday's media conference, said.
In a six-page statement issued by the presidential office, the government said the 13-member task force was established on Nov. 29 and was led by the secretary-general of the Ministry of Settlement and Regional Infrastructure.
The government said that under the framework of the initiative, Jakarta would channel medicine, food and other basic supplies to flood-hit areas in Aceh.
Floods in the territory have left at least 16 people dead and caused more than Rp 800 billion in financial losses.
The government said it would also repair damaged infrastructure in Aceh, including, roads, schools, mosques, churches and telecommunications facilities.
The government added that under the rehabilitation program, it would also try to bring back judges and prosecutors to Aceh to revive law enforcement in the province.
Dozens of judges and prosecutors have left Aceh over the past several months for fear of further violence between separatist rebels and security personnel.
The government also said it would take steps "to accelerate the implementation of special autonomy" in the troubled province, and reiterated its earlier commitment to establish a free-port in Sabang, just off the northwestern tip of Sumatra.
Abdurrahman also called on the Acehnese on Saturday "to maintain calm and security in Aceh so that these programs can be implemented properly".
"We do not want the TNI (Indonesian Military) to have too much of a role in Aceh except for the maintenance of security and order," Abdurrahman said.
The President also said during the media conference he would visit the flood-hit areas in West Sumatra and Aceh later this month.
When pressed to specify the dates of his visit, Abdurrahman said he would visit Aceh twice, with his second visit being to the capital Banda Aceh. (byg)