Ibrahim firm on land issue

Ibrahim firm on land issue

Nani Farida, The Jakarta Post, Banda Aceh

Aceh is not just about the bloody prolonged fighting between
separatist rebels and the Indonesian Military, with all of the
unrecorded brutalities and countless devastations of people and
their lives.

A rich cultural trove, Aceh is also blessed with natural
resources and rain forest stretching across its lands and hills.

However, political interests and human greed must just be put
aside as Muhammad Ibrahim talks about saving his land, its
fertile soil and all the God's creatures that call it home.

A giant highway project, called Ladia Galaska (an acronym for
Lautan Hindia, Gayo, Luwes and Selat Malaka) is underway --
penetrating into the pristine 100.2 square kilometer Gunung
Leuser National Park and posing a threat to the provinces's
endangered species.

The project kicked off in 2002 an in the second year of work
has reached 10 kilometers of road construction from Lamsemol to
Beutung Ateuh in North Aceh.

International groups and local environmental activists have
stood up against the construction of the 500-kilometer road that
would link the province from west to east.

The 32-year-old Muhammad, the executive director of the Aceh
branch of the Indonesian Forum for the Environment (Walhi) has
joined the protests against the highway. As a result, he has been
targeted by some locals who support the construction and the
military, which dominates Aceh since martial law was declared
there.

"Some local figures sent a letter to the governor, asking him
to take stern measures against Walhi and if he (the governor)
failed to do so, they would take the law into their own hands,"
Muhammad told The Jakarta Post recently in Banda Aceh.

Now Muhammad regularly receives threats through telephone
calls and letters.

"Our sole concern today is to save the forests in Aceh,
particularly our protected forests," he said, brushing off any
risks he might face because of his work.

Local environmental activist Bestari Raden was recently held
by the military on charges that he had links with the Free Aceh
Movement (GAM). Bestari, 50, was a member of a government-formed
team charged with assessing the construction of the highway. He
was detained when he was visiting the area to evaluate the
feasibility of the project.

But that will not deter Muhammad, who was born in Sigli, Pidie
regency. He is married to Afrida Nurizki, 26, and they are the
parents of 18-month-old Nabil Ramadhan Hamuda.

Muhammad went to school in Banda Aceh, about 112 kilometers
from his hometown. In 1991, he went to Syiah Kuala University in
Banda Aceh, majoring in agriculture. During his university years,
he was an activist with the Islamic Student Association.

"I never wanted to be an environmentalist before," he said
with a laugh.

He joined Walhi in 1998 at the invitation of a friend. When he
first joined the organization, he was appointed head of the
campaign division. His interest and passion in environmental
issues has grown ever since.

Muhammad soon became frustrated by the by residents and
government officials lack of concern over environmental issues.

"People here have only begun to become aware of the importance
of taking good care of the environment following recent flooding.
Unfortunately, local government officials prefer to help the
victims rather than preventing the floods," he said.

Aceh is home to quite a vast forest area. However, because of
unchecked logging, floods and landslides occur frequently. In
2003 alone, Aceh suffered 128 natural disasters.

Today, some 25 percent of the forest in Aceh has been damaged,
mostly because of illegal logging and the activities of forest
concessionaires.

That is why Muhammad and Walhi are doing everything within
their power to protest the construction of Ladia Galaska, because
the road, if completed, would pierce the heart of the protected
forest.

Muhammad sees the project as being very dangerous. Aside from
the fact that the slope of the land is over 45 degrees, the
highway would travel through a protected forest that is home to
elephants, tigers and rhinos.

"Basically, this road construction project is good. Our
protest concerns only part of the plan that goes through a
protected forest as it will be harmful to the Acehnese," he said.

If the government insists on constructing the highway through
the national park, it is feared the road will only benefit
logging bosses and their destructive illegal logging activities.

As an environmentalist, Muhammad has also dealt with problems
related to the operations of Exxon Mobil in Lhokseumawe.

"Until now I remain convinced that Exxon Mobil should be held
responsible for human rights violation in Aceh, either directly
or otherwise. They have provided the facilities for the
military," he noted.

To activists in Aceh, Muhammad is held up an example of a
selfless crusader for good. When a military emergency status was
enacted in Aceh and political activists were compelled to leave
the province, Muhammad remained in Aceh.

If he remains and continues his protests, it is not only
because Aceh is his home, but also because he values his calling
to save the land.

"It is possible for me to remain here perhaps because I deal
with environmental issues. Although, in this case, I often have
to face high-ranking government officials," he said.

A friend of Muhammad's, lawyer Rufriadi, commented: "He is
courageous and is highly consistent in taking good care of the
environment even though that is not an easy job in Aceh."