Humanitarian pause to Acehnese
It seems that the Humanitarian Pause agreed upon by the government of the Republic of Indonesia and the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) has not been properly honored as activists are still missing, the burning of homes and markets and the killings are still going on and the Indonesian Military (TNI) and National Police (Polri) are continuing their fierce and merciless sweeps, creating a larger number of refugees. This is a horrible situation gripping the locals.
Some of these incidents occurred when I was in Aceh recently and I was made aware of them when I talked to a GAM member, who spoke on the condition of anonymity.
Members of TNI and the Police Mobile Brigade have allegedly been involved in clashes. The burning of a police station in Takengon recently, followed by the murder of a TNI member in Angkop, did not involve GAM, said GAM commander Tgk. Ilham Ilyas Leubee, through the chief of the GAM information bureau for the Linge area. These clashes have claimed victims from among the locals, especially because TNI conducted round-the-village patrols afterwards.
It is common knowledge in Aceh that prior to the murder of a TNI member in Angkop, there was a quarrel between members of TNI and the Mobile Brigade. This quarrel stemmed from a misunderstanding as a TNI member thought that a Mobile Brigade member had insulted him. It is also common knowledge that members of both TNI and the Mobile Brigade back illegal gambling in Lampahan, Central Aceh. The TNI member reportedly aimed his pistol at the Mobile Brigade member saying, "Come on, try this, pig. This is my turf, you know. Dismissed!"
The GAM commander in chief has also called on TNI and the Mobile Brigade to stop applying double standards and cruelty in the context of honoring the Humanitarian Pause. However, he also said this should not be construed as delaying the secession of Aceh from Indonesia. He appealed to Indonesia's military and police forces not to make Aceh a place where they fight each other.
At present, the Acehnese live in great misery and terror. They have been subjected to cruelty, robbery, rape and murder, allegedly committed by Indonesian troops since their arrival here in 1976.
Now, as a Muslim, I wish to appeal to President Abdurrahman Wahid to take action to stop the deployment of troops in Aceh.
Mr. President, you are the leader of the Indonesian people and a true Muslim. Please stop sending troops to Aceh. Let the Acehnese enjoy a peaceful life without any disturbances from security forces. They live in great misery and dejection. They need help. This is no longer a matter of separatism or disintegration. This is the persecution of fellow Muslims. Do not let Allah punish all of Indonesia.
Clearly, the Humanitarian Pause is not even close to bringing peace to the Acehnese as many violations are still being committed by security forces. To finish, let me quote what the GAM commander in chief has also said: "What is the result of the security forces' effort to probe into the disappearance of an activist? Where is the truth in their statement that they are not involved in this matter?"
RESI S. YUSUF
Bandung