'Military operations will kill civilians'
'Military operations will kill civilians'
President Megawati Soekarnoputri has ordered the military to
prepare for deployment to Aceh in case the peace deal with the
Free Aceh Movement (GAM) cannot be saved. These developments have
caused concern and fear among the Acehnese living in the capital.
Those Acehnese The Jakarta Post spoke to about the matter asked
that their identities be protected.
Saiful, not his real name, 32, is from Pidie, North Aceh. He
works as a parking attendant in Blok M, South Jakarta, and lives
in South Jakarta with friends:
I am against the military operation in Aceh because I am sure
it will victimize innocent civilians. The people there have
already been victimized by years of conflict.
I don't think the government will be able to cope with the
situation if war breaks out.
I would not have so many problems with the military operation
if the military could tell the difference between the separatists
and the civilians.
I think the government has made so many mistakes over the
years. It has exploited the people, completely ignoring the
welfare of the local residents. It's no wonder they have reacted
this way.
I believe that many Acehnese are now joining GAM because they
want revenge for family members who were murdered or raped by the
military.
I cannot identify my relatives or friends who are members of
GAM. Some of my friends have joined the group. But I don't care
about that, it's none of my business.
That's why I came here. I came to Jakarta to survive after I
lost my job in Aceh. Besides, I could not bear the hardships of
life in my village there.
But someday I want to go home. But when will I be able to
enjoy a safe trip?
Ahmad, not his real name, 44, is an Acehnese businessman who
lives in Bekasi with his wife and seven children. He moved to
Jakarta from Aceh more than 10 years ago:
I agree with the military operation to fight the separatists,
who have clearly done harm to most Acehnese. All of the investors
are leaving the restive province due to the threat (from the
separatists).
But I fear for the civilians if war breaks out. Before the
operation begins civilians should be evacuated, to help make it
easier to identify the separatists.
Also, the objectives of the movement have been harmed by
various vested interests among the separatists themselves. They
fight for money rather than freedom. They only extort investors
and the residents.
I think 99 percent of the fault lies both with the corrupt
local and central governments. GAM and military officers deserve
the rest of the blame.
The local government always thinks about lucrative projects,
and as soon as it starts to enjoy some benefits it ignores the
people. The poor governance of corrupt officials has caused this
situation.
I would suggest that the government empower the local people
through education, so the locals would not be so easily deceived
by the misleading separatist movement.
Meutia, not her real name, 29, works for a company in South
Jakarta and lives in Kemayoran, Central Jakarta, with her family,
who came from Langsa, East Aceh:
It's hard to say whether I agree or disagree with the military
operation in Aceh. I would say I'm somewhere in between the two
options.
Frankly, I don't have strong emotional ties with Aceh since I
was born here in Jakarta. But I'm concerned about the innocent
civilians who could be casualties in a military operation.
I take pity on my relatives who still live there. Once my
uncle told me how frightening it was when he was extorted by GAM
members and then by military officers during separate routine
operations.
I'm sure it is not easy to separate ordinary civilians from
those affiliated with the separatist movement.
Besides, there are so many people with vested interests
joining the separatist movement, which worsens the situation.
But the government has made a lot of mistakes in its treatment
of the residents of the province. They live in a resource-rich
area but they live in poverty because of the greedy government.
--Leo Wahyudi S