Govt urged to use peaceful approach in handling Aceh
Govt urged to use peaceful approach in handling Aceh
JAKARTA (JP): The House of Representatives called on the
government on Monday to take immediate and concrete action to
cope with conflicts in Aceh peacefully.
"The social conflict in restive Aceh is serious and the
Acehnese people are waiting for immediate and concrete action
from the government to solve it peacefully. President Abdurahman
Wahid should go there immediately to hold a dialog with the
people," House Speaker Akbar Tandjung said in his response to a
mass rally in Aceh.
Hundreds of thousands of Acehnese thronged the Aceh provincial
capital of Banda Aceh on Monday to demand a self-determination
referendum for the province.
Akbar said the huge rally represented the disappointment with
unfair treatment the Acehnese have long experienced.
"People in the province are bored with the government's
promises. They are waiting for concrete action for changes. The
government should concentrate on how to curb the injustices and
uphold the supremacy of the law," he said.
A legislator from Aceh, Ferry Murdidan Baldan, has urged the
government to uphold economic and legal justice by giving the
province greater autonomy and trying servicemen involved in human
rights violations there in the past.
Meanwhile, Minister of Home Affairs Surjadi Soedirdja said the
Aceh problem could not be solved immediately because not only was
the problem complicated, but the nation was taking on numerous
serious matters, especially the economic crisis which remains
unabated.
He denied that the government turned a blind eye to social
injustice and human rights abuses in the province, saying all
problems in Aceh would be solved gradually.
"The government has listened to Aceh's aspirations and demands
and will accommodate them for the sake of a comprehensive and
peaceful solution," he said after addressing a workshop for civil
servants at his office here on Monday.
Asked whether the government would hold a dialog with the Free
Aceh Movement (GAM) separatist rebel group, he said the
government would listen to all groups, including the one
demanding independence for Aceh.
"No matter what GAM looks like, they are our brothers and we
will listen to their aspirations," he said.
He said the government would take the referendum demand into
consideration.
"The government will give a serious response by considering
their demands and analyzing them," he said, charging that the
present condition was not conducive in discussing the issue.
Conversely, Indonesian Military (TNI) spokesman Maj. Gen.
Sudrajat expressed his objection to the referendum demand, saying
it was not the best way to solve Aceh's complicated problems.
"TNI finds the demand unrealistic. A referendum will only be
given to a society which does not yet have a government," he said
in Bandung after addressing participants of the Army Staff
Command School.
He said that instead of taking to the streets, all parties
concerned should meet and discuss how to cope with social,
economic and political injustices the Acehnese have stated.
In Yogyakarta, constitutional law expert Harun Alrasyid
reiterated that the government had to fight to keep Aceh part of
the republic.
"The government must, at all costs, try all means, from a
persuasive approach to the use of military force, to maintain the
republic's sovereignty over Aceh," he said.
According to Harun, the use of military troops is allowed if
peaceful efforts fail to end the movement.
"Any effort to separate Aceh from the rest of the country is
considered a coup attempt and, therefore, the government must
take firm action against it," he said.
In Semarang, political observer of the Australian National
University, Lance Castle, said President Abdurrahman, popularly
known as Gus Dur, must move fast in handling Aceh's referendum
demand, as well as further realization of the whole matter.
"If the government delays sorting out the Aceh problem, it is
likely that the previous referendum call will grow into a demand
for freedom," Castle said after addressing a seminar on Soviet
Union Disintegration and the Lesson for Indonesia.
Castle also urged the government to take concrete action to
solve the Aceh conflict immediately.
Tri Cahyo Utomo, a political observer of Diponegoro University
shared Castle's view, saying that Aceh is only an inch away from
being separated from the country as calls for independence grow
stronger.
"The government must act immediately. It's for the best if Gus
Dur, Amien Rais (Assembly speaker) and Megawati Soekarnoputri
(Vice President) visit Aceh to resolve the matter," Tri said.
(43/44/har/edt/rms)