House says no to Aceh referendum

House says no to Aceh referendum

JAKARTA (JP): The House of Representatives (DPR) dismissed on
Wednesday President Abdurrahman Wahid's remarks that a referendum
could be held in Aceh next year, saying that the House was intent
on maintaining the integrity of the unitary state.

The meeting of House leaders and factions concluded that the
referendum option was out of the question. They agreed that the
issue should be resolved by granting Aceh greater autonomy and by
implementing a comprehensive trial of individuals responsible for
human rights abuses in the restive province.

"A referendum is not the appropriate solution," House Speaker
Akbar Tandjung told journalists after the meeting.

He said in accordance with the People's Consultative Assembly
decrees and legislation on the province's special status, the
House had agreed to give wider autonomy to Aceh.

He added that further discussions could be held on a more
substantial division of wealth in Aceh, but that a referendum was
out of question.

"The House intends to maintain the integrity of the unitary
state of the Republic of Indonesia," Akbar said.

The House's strong statement followed a controversial comment
made on Tuesday by President Abdurrahman as he was returning from
Japan that a referendum could be held in Aceh in seven months.

Abdurrahman's statement was not clear-cut. He did not specify
if the referendum would be for independence or would only address
greater autonomy. He also said that the subject would need the
approval of the "parliament".

Akbar brushed aside on Wednesday Abdurrahman's statement,
saying it reflected the President's personal view only.

He also questioned the legitimacy of the President's offer.

"In making a fundamental decision such as a referendum, the
government must consult the House regarding the time and the
content of the referendum," Akbar said.

He warned of a repetition of the disastrous events which
unfolded in Indonesia's former 27th province, following a
controversial decision to allow a referendum in East Timor.

"The House will question President Abdurrahman Wahid on his
statement about the Aceh referendum," Akbar said.

He voiced strong opposition to the calls for independence for
Aceh, saying such a move would "violate our national integrity".

Akbar said the government had yet to properly address the
problem.

"We expect the President to go to Aceh next week before he
goes overseas, but last night during the meeting with the
President there was an indication that he might not be able to
make it until his next visit overseas."

Abdurrahman is slated to attend a meeting of leaders of the
Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) later next week.

Referring to the mounting calls for a referendum as an
alternative option to maintaining the integrity of the state,
Akbar said such a momentous decision should be sought through a
national referendum because it required the acceptance of all
provinces.

Military

The referendum debate on Aceh has not been limited to
politicians alone. Top defense officials are also considering
proposals on a limited martial law for some areas of Aceh.

National Police chief Gen. Roesmanhadi said he would like to
impose limited martial law as police were not prepared to take
over from combat troops being pulled out from Aceh. He emphasized
that the police would face problems in areas where guerrilla
warfare tactics were employed by separatist forces.

"But martial law would only come after the request of the
people of Aceh, and be enforced in areas where it was really
needed such as Pidie, North Aceh, West Aceh and South Aceh,"
Roesmanhadi said.

Meanwhile, the flow of refugees leaving Aceh continued on
Wednesday. Hundreds flocked to the North Sumatra towns of Binjai
and Medan, following fears of riots ahead of the Aceh Free
Movement (GAM) anniversary on Dec. 4.

"Flyers are being distributed by irresponsible parties who
want to instigate fear and unrest," Acehnese social observer
Fikarwan Zusta said in Medan. He was referring to pamphlets
urging non-Acehnese to flee to safety.

About 220 refugees from East and North Aceh arrived in Binjai
on Wednesday.

Another 500 refugees, most of whom were Javanese residing in
Aceh, arrived by sea at the Medan port of Belawan. They were
given temporary shelter before departing for Java.

Meanwhile in Gempang district, Sigli regency at least 5,000
residents on Wednesday departed for Bernun, some 96 kilometers
away to join another 7,000 who had earlier arrived in the town,
which is located near Medan.

As of Tuesday it was also reported that a total of Rp 10
billion had been withdrawn from various banks in Aceh.

"Usually the highest amount of money extracted from banks is
Rp 2 billion per month," said the head of Bank Indonesia in Aceh,
Yusmanazir Karim.

At least 11 doctors from Cut Nyak Dien Hospital in Meulaboh
have also left the area, according to hospital director Teuku
Amir Hamzah.

"There are only two doctors left here: me and Daten (a
gynecologist). This creates serious problems for the hospital's
activities," Hamzah said. (39/50/edt/02)