In command in Aceh
In command in Aceh
From Pikiran Rakyat
In response to many members of the Acehnese community's demand
that the Joint Military Police Crack-Mass Riot Troops (PPRM) be
withdrawn from the province, Minister of Defense and
Security/Indonesian Military (TNI) chief Gen. Wiranto finally
assented to their redeployment. Some of the remaining military
personnel were posted in different barracks and the other members
were given the task of guarding vital sites in the province.
Of course, not all people support the move. Some want all
military personnel withdrawn from Aceh. Granted, there is nothing
wrong with that demand. But some Acehnese want the
reestablishment of the Iskandarmuda Regional Military Command
(KODAM Iskandarmuda). Wiranto agreed and asserted that the
military institution was not meant to replace military
operations, but to help create a conducive atmosphere in the
region. Next, Wiranto is seeking military officers who hail from
Aceh to become regional military commanders and other Acehnese
military men to head the subordinate military divisions.
Wiranto admitted that the issue of Aceh was a complex one
involving not only security matters but also other aspects such
as politics, the economy and sociocultural affairs.
On the other side, there is the separatist Free Aceh Movement
(GAM). It is impossible to sympathize with this movement because
it means a betrayal to the proclamation ideals of a united and
sovereign Republic of Indonesia.
This new policy should be hailed in order to find a peaceful
solution to the problem of Aceh. However, the challenge to be
faced by the military is still there. GAM will be skeptical in
viewing the action and is unlikely to abide by the appeal from
the Indonesian military to hand over its weapons.
As with any other country, the military, on the other hand,
will not let another armed force, in possession of illegal
weapons, oppose it and exist within the republic. May God bestow
His guidance toward a speedy settlement of Aceh's problems.
DENNY KUSNIRA KASIH
Jakarta