New law grants Aceh province broader autonomy

JAKARTA (JP): Aceh province in the northernmost part of Sumatra will be granted special autonomy to administer its religious, educational and local customs affairs under a law approved by the House of Representatives here on Wednesday.

The law regarding the observance of the uniqueness of the special province of Aceh will also grant a special role to local Islamic clerics to make provincial policies.

The law, promulgated at the initiative of several House members, was approved only after a few weeks of deliberation, apparently in a bid to quell secessionist sentiments among the Acehnese.

The law stipulates that Islam is the religion of a majority of Acehnese and the Aceh administration is obliged to encourage the people to comply with syariat (the legal code of Islam) in all aspects of life while still promoting religious harmony with adherents of other religions.

The four factions of the House said in their final views on the legislation that the central government should immediately prepare regulations to allocate bigger financial resources to the Aceh administration to implement its broader autonomy.

The local administration is also obliged to develop and promote Acehnese customs and traditions based on Islamic rules, include additional materials in the national education curricula and develop Islamic education institutions.

The legislation stipulates the establishment of an independent ulemas council, the status of which will be equal to the provincial administration and legislative council. The ulemas council will be involved in all policymaking processes of the administration.

Minister of Home Affairs Syarwan Hamid, who represented the government at the House plenary session, said Aceh would get a much bigger budget allocation to implement its special autonomy.

"In addition, concerning resources provided under the law on intergovernmental fiscal balances, this new law also will arrange additional budgetary appropriations for the Aceh administration," Sjarwan said.

Bachtiar Chamsyah, spokesman for the United Development Party (PPP) faction, said the special autonomy stipulated by the law would greatly help Aceh prosper in all fields.

"It is ironic that Aceh, which contributed greatly to the struggle for Indonesian independence in 1945 and which is quite rich in natural disasters, has yet to enjoy the fruits of development, with the majority of its people remaining poor," Bachtiar pointed out.

The Acehnese have not only been disillusioned with the province's restrained economy, but they have also been deeply hurt by years of repression during the New Order era, he added.

Didik Hadidjah Hasan of the ruling Golkar Party faction said her faction supported the law because the special autonomy would encourage the local people to remain united with other Indonesians.

Sudiyotomo, spokesman for the Indonesian Military faction, called on the Acehnese provincial administration to immediately prepare local regulations to implement the province's special autonomy and disseminate the benefits of the law among the Acehnese. (rms)