Hamzah to visit Aceh

JAKARTA: Vice President Hamzah Haz is scheduled to be the first national leader to hold talks and travel throughout Aceh for an extended period of time as he is planning a three-day trip to the restive province.

Hamzah will start the journey on Wednesday to visit the most disputed and dangerous areas, such as Lhokseumawe, Takengon and Pidie, where he will also visit the grave of an Acehnese national hero, Tengku Daud Beureuh.

President Megawati Soekarnoputri and former presidents Abdurrahman Wahid and B.J. Habibie, had all limited previous visits to one day, in the war-torn province during their respective tenures, because of security fears.

During the trip, Hamzah will conduct meetings with several local leaders and religious figures to help educate the public on the coming implementation of the Special Autonomy Law of Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam.

To wind up the visit, he will participate in Friday prayers at the Baiturrahman Grand Mosque with the people of Banda Aceh. --JP