Mega to inaugurate projects in Aceh

Mega to inaugurate projects in Aceh

JAKARTA: President Megawati Soekarnoputri is slated to visit the
troubled province of Aceh next week, the first visit since
martial law was imposed there in May last year.

In the visit slated for March 7, the President will inaugurate
several development projects, possibly including a controversial
project to widen the Ladia-Galaska highway, which has a major
impact on the conservation area between North Sumatra and Aceh
provinces.

"In the latest confirmation I received from the state
secretary, the visit will be on March 7," Aceh Governor Abdullah
Puteh said over the weekend.

Abdullah said that the President was also set inaugurate other
projects during her visit there. These included the construction
of a complex of low-cost housing for civil servants, the
construction of an Islamic center and the opening of Iskandar
Muda fertilizer factory in North Aceh regency.

The upcoming visit will be her third since she became
president in July 2001. The visit is only days away from the
beginning of the election campaigning period on March 11,
sparking suspicion that she will use the function to generate
more publicity for her party, the Indonesian Democratic Party of
Struggle (PDI-P), as the election draws close.

Indonesians will cast their votes for legislative candidates
on April 5. -- Antara