JP/5/KTP

Aceh government ready to scrap red and white ID cards

Nani Afrida The Jakarta Post/Banda Aceh

"Oh ... you're holding a red and white identity card? You must be Acehnese then?"

This sort of question is often heard during ID inspections whether within or outside of Aceh province.

Since the imposition of martial law, followed by a state civil emergency, from 2003 to 2005, the Acehnese have been required to carry special red and white ID cards that set them apart from other citizens of Indonesia. The ID cards are valid until the lifting of the civil emergency in Aceh.

The size of these cards is twice that of a regular ID card, and they are signed by the local district chief, district military commander and district police chief. The theory is that they make it easier for security personnel to distinguish between civilians and Free Aceh Movement (GAM) members.

Now, after the civil emergency was lifted a few days ago, the Acehnese will be provided with regular yellow ID cards, just like those held by other Indonesians.

"With the change in status, we will replace the red and white IDs with the normal IDs issued in other provinces of Indonesia," said Aceh's first deputy governor, Husni Bahri, in Banda Aceh on Thursday.

The respective municipality and regental administrations will be responsible for the program and its funding, and will be supervised by the provincial administration.

The program will begin following the issuance of the presidential decree on the lifting of the emergency as this will contain guidelines for the future governance of Aceh.

"The ID card replacement policy will be carried out in stages, in line with the guidelines contained in the decree," added Husni.

He further said that he hoped the program would not lead to public anxiety or "adverse consequences".

Possession of the red and white ID cards has been essential for the Acehnese. Failure to possess one would immediately lead to a person being suspected of involvement in the separatist movement. So, Acehnese have to carry them wherever they go.

Husni said he expected the ID card replacement program to proceed expeditiously and smoothly.

Around two million Acehnese will be eligible to replace their ID cards following the change in the province's status. The program will be implemented simultaneously throughout Aceh, including sensitive areas.

Acehnese people have warmly welcomed the plan, but they hope it will not create new problems or additional burdens for them.

A Peunayong, Banda Aceh, resident, Zulkarnaen, 50, who had heard about the program, hoped that he could retain his red and white ID card until a new one was issued.

"I'm afraid of being accused of being a GAM member," he said.

He also expressed the hope that the cost of the new IDs would be affordable and the procedures simpler than when he had applied for his red and white ID card.

Muhayatsyah, 30, from Cunda, Lhokseumawe, expressed similar hopes.

"I also hope that the security forces won't suspect us for keeping the red and white IDs while the new ones are being readied," he said.

He is convinced that the ID replacement policy will be time- consuming given that the entire population of Aceh will have to replace their IDs.