Malaysia supports Indonesian unity, warns Aceh rebels

JAKARTA (JP): Visiting Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad affirmed on Thursday his country's support for Indonesia's unity, and warned Aceh separatist rebels not to use his country as a base for their resistance.

Speaking at a joint news conference with President Abdurrahman Wahid at the latter's official residence, Merdeka Palace, the prime minister emphasized that the situation in Aceh was entirely Indonesia's internal affair.

"We will not let anybody use Malaysia as a base for activities which are not good for neighboring countries such as Indonesia," Mahathir said.

Without elaborating, he said he had personally conveyed the message to Acehnese religious leaders during a recent meeting.

"Our stance is that Aceh should be a part of Indonesia. If they want to have more autonomy that is up to them to negotiate, but our stance is that Aceh should remain part of Indonesia," Mahathir said.

Thousands of Acehnese, including alleged rebels, reside in Malaysia, which is only 250 kilometers across the Malacca Straits from the restive province.

Mahathir, who arrived here on Thursday for a two-day working visit, said his government was prepared to help Indonesia end the decades of conflict.

The prime minister, who described the situation in Aceh as less intense at the moment, said his country had participated in trying to resolve the problems in Indonesia's westernmost province.

"Malaysia is quite willing to give some help if we are asked to, and in fact we have met some of the religious leaders of Aceh," the prime minister remarked.

Abdurrahman greeted Mahathir upon his arrival at Halim Perdanakusuma Airport on Thursday morning. His visit was an exchange to Abdurrahman's visit to Kuala Lumpur last November. The President has asked the prime minister in particular to help his government overcome the country's economic crisis.

Mahathir's entourage included his wife Siti Hasmah, Minister of Foreign Affairs Hamid Jaafar, Minister of International Trade and Industry Rafidah Aziz, Minister of Finance Daim Zainudin and Minister of Primary Industry Lim Keng Yeik. About 150 businessmen also accompanied his visit.

Later in the day, the President confirmed his plan to close the five-day Aceh Society Congress in Medan on March 31.

"The President said he would come to Medan to close the congress, which at least 600 Aceh activists will attend," congress chairman Nur Nikmat said after meeting the President.

Nur, however, said he would not be able to fulfill the President's wish for providing the presence of Free Aceh Movement (GAM) commander Tengku Abdullah Syafi'ie.

"We do not see any indication that Abdullah is willing to come to the congress," Nur said.

In another related development, more bodies, believed to be the latest victims of conflicts between separatist rebels and Indonesian security forces, were found in North, Central and West Aceh, residents and police said on Thursday.

Locals stumbled upon a body bound to a pillar of the Teupin Gapeuh bridge in Tanah Pasir subdistrict, North Aceh, on Wednesday, North Aceh Police chief Lt. Col. Syafei Aksal said. (prb/50/edt)