JK: 21 years of Aceh peace a momentum to build prosperity

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesia’s 10th and 12th Vice President and Aceh Peace Figure Jusuf Kalla (JK) has invited all elements of society to make the 21st anniversary of Aceh peace a momentum to strengthen development and realise a fairer and more prosperous life for the people. JK said Aceh, which previously experienced prolonged conflict for decades, has now entered a development phase after peace was achieved. “Today, the 15th, coincides with the 21st anniversary of Aceh peace. Aceh, which 21 years ago was a place of very long and large conflict, Alhamdulillah we were able to resolve it,” said Jusuf Kalla in a written statement in Jakarta on Saturday. The statement was delivered by Jusuf Kalla at his residence on Jalan Brawijaya, South Jakarta, coinciding with the commemoration of 21 years of Aceh peace. According to him, peace is the starting point for the people of Aceh to shape their future through sustainable development. “Now is the era of Aceh’s development, the era of how the people move towards a better life,” he said. JK hopes that Aceh’s leaders can continue to prioritise development and improve the quality of Aceh’s human resources. He considers the experience of the Aceh conflict to be an important lesson for the Indonesian nation. He revealed that various major conflicts can essentially stem from a sense of injustice felt by the people. According to him, Aceh’s condition in the past was inseparable from the imbalance between the wealth of natural resources and the level of development felt by the people. “All major conflicts originate from the thoughts of the people, the assumptions of the people or our behaviour that is unfair in viewing Aceh, which is rich in natural resources, but its development is not balanced with Aceh’s wealth,” he explained. The former two-term Vice President of the Republic of Indonesia emphasised that the government must continue to take lessons from Aceh’s journey by delivering development justice in all regions. “Because that is a lesson on how our government should create justice for regions and communities,” he said. Jusuf Kalla also conveyed congratulations to the people and government of Aceh on the long journey towards peace. He hopes that the peace that has been maintained for 21 years can become a foundation for Aceh’s progress in the future. “Congratulations to the people and government of Aceh on this day,” he said.