New province for Aceh sought

New province for Aceh sought

JAKARTA: Amid the worsening situation in the province of Aceh,
councillors from five regencies there met with the top security
minister on Thursday afternoon to discuss the possible
establishment of a new province.

Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs
Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said on Friday that the meeting with the
councillors took place at his office.

The five regencies represented by the councillors are
Southeast Aceh, Blangkejareun, Singkil, Central Aceh and Tamiang.

Basrah Hakim, who led the councillors, told Susilo that the
five regencies intended to form a new pw province called Leuser
Antara as they had not been "infiltrated" yet by the separatist
Free Aceh Movement (GAM).

Susilo told the councillors that the government would consider
their demand and would discuss it further with the House of
Representatives.

It is not clear, however, who initiated the meeting between
the councillors and Susilo. --JP