Munir, through the eyes of the Acehnese people

Ibnu Mat Noor, The Jakarta Post, Banda Aceh

The death of Munir has shocked activists and leaders in the nation's capital, as well as many Achenese, whose rights he fought for.

Many Achenese have said his presence in the war-torn province emboldened them, after living amid conflict for years.

A villager from Kembang Tanjong in Pidie, Syarifah Nurhayati, told The Jakarta Post over the phone on Tuesday night, "I'm very sad. Nobody like Munir will fight for the fate of the Acehnese anymore."

She said that it was from the newspapers and TV that she knew about Munir's struggle for the rights of the Acehnese. "I admire him very much. Even though he was Javanese, his fight for justice in Aceh far surpassed the efforts of most Acehnese," said Nurhayati.

She said she did not believe the rumors surrounding Munir's death. "Although he died on the plane, that doesn't mean he was murdered," she said.

A student activist in Banda Aceh, Ernawati, was also shocked upon hearing the news on Tuesday evening. "Why did a man as good as Munir die so early, while the evil ones are still around," she said.

Ernawati cited a short messaging service (SMS) sent after Munir's death by one of her colleagues: "To all activists, this is a reminder to be more careful".

Lukman, a former student activist, who is currently studying in Penang, Malaysia, sent a message to the Post's reporter in Banda Aceh: "Indonesia has lost a great son. Munir was one of the few men in the country who had clarity in looking at Aceh ... others had closed their eyes and hearts (encouraged) by the propaganda and nationalism of the military. He had the courage to speak out, without caring about the risks..."

Nurdin, a sidewalk vendor in Banda Aceh was saddened by the news of Munir's death. The 35-year-old man -- who claimed to have suffered the brutality of soldiers in his village in East Aceh during martial law -- said "Munir's death has stalled the struggle of victims of human rights abuses in Aceh."

Martial law was imposed in Aceh on May 19, 2003, as the military launched operations to crush the Free Aceh Movement (GAM). Widespread human rights abuses were reported after the military declared Aceh a special operation area (DOM) in 1990.

"Munir's death is a great loss for Aceh because he endlessly campaigned for the supremacy of the law and human rights," said Rufriadi, the coordinator of a justice monitoring agency in Aceh.

A lawyer in North Aceh, Yusuf Ismail Pase, hoped that activists would not lose their will to fight following Munir's death. "It's Munir's time to go. But we have to sustain his enthusiasm to fight for human rights and against violence," said Yusuf Pase.