Law discussion on Aceh should include ulemas

Law discussion on Aceh should include ulemas

JAKARTA (JP): Observers are calling on the House of
Representatives to include Aceh ulemas and community leaders in
the deliberation of a new bill on the special status of the
troubled province.

Antara interviewed on Sunday a number of community figures in
the capital, Banda Aceh, and many said they wanted to participate
in House hearings on the bill. The bill was initiated by the
Islamic United Development Party (PPP), apparently to appease the
anger of Acehnese over years of human rights abuses and
injustice.

Rusjdi Ali Muhammad and Hamid Sarong of the Ar-Raniry State
Institute of Islamic Studies, and local legislator Sofyan S.
Sawang agreed that the involvement of ulemas and community
leaders -- who occupy important positions in the predominantly
Muslim province -- would strengthen the bill and improve its
chances of being accepted.

"That would help make a more representative legislation,"
Rusjdi said.

Meanwhile, it was reported from Banda Aceh that the provincial
government has established two working groups to study the newly
enacted laws on regional autonomy and fiscal balances. The
government has decided to speed up the implementation of the two
laws in Aceh in consideration of the special needs of the
province.

"The two working groups will study each of the documents,"
Governor Syamsuddin Mahmud said.

A delegation of ministers visited Aceh on Saturday, when
Coordinating Minister for People's Welfare Haryono Suyono
declared the laws officially implemented in Aceh.

Protests marked the visit, with students and human rights
groups telling the ministers that Acehnese wanted concrete
evidence the government was serious in dealing with the
province's problems, and not empty promises or charity. Banners
unfurled by protesters read "Holy war, the only solution for
Aceh", "Stop genocide in Aceh" and "Aceh people, the victims of
Jakarta's political mafia".

Syamsuddin said the working groups are to include community
leaders, ulema and experts from various universities in Aceh.

Meanwhile, AP reported from Banda Aceh that an army soldier
was killed by unidentified assailants. It quoted police sources
as saying Sgt. Banta Lidan was stabbed to death on Saturday while
sitting at a roadside food stall in a town 200 kilometers east of
the provincial capital.

The sources and witnesses said the assailants opened fire on
another soldier when he sped away on a motorcycle. It was not
known whether the escaping soldier was injured.

North Aceh is believed to be the main stronghold of rebels
belonging to the Free Aceh Movement, which is seeking to set up
an independent Islamic Aceh state.

Clashes between insurgents and security forces have
intensified in recent months, claiming hundreds of lives. The
rebels are seeking an end to Indonesia's grip on the province,
which is rich in oil and natural gas. (06/swe)