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)