NU asks Acehnese to support Indonesia's special autonomy
Tiarma Siboro, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Noted Muslim leader Hasyim Muzadi called on the Acehnese to support a special autonomy status, saying it would fulfill their long-standing demand for welfare.
Hasyim, who chairs the country's largest Muslim organization, the Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), said special autonomy would be the answer to the problems of economic and social injustice that the Acehnese had been fighting against, sparking some to wage a rebellion under the Free Aceh Movement (GAM).
"Being independent does not address Aceh's problems. People in Aceh will never know whether a party which is pushing for an independent state in Aceh manages to secure welfare for them," Hasyim told reporters on Saturday.
The 2001 Law on special autonomy for Aceh provides the locals with a lion's share of the 70 percent of oil and gas revenues. The law also regulates not only self-government but autonomy in religious, legal and fiscal affairs.
Thousands of civilians have been killed in the armed conflict between government troops and GAM rebels since the secessionist movement began in 1976.
Hasyim was commenting on the cancellation of the Joint Council meeting between Jakarta and GAM representatives, after GAM demanded a two-day delay to the talks from its original schedule of April 25.
Jakarta has ordered security measures in Aceh to be intensified while preparing for the deployment of reinforcement troops to the restive province. The Indonesian Military (TNI) has insisted that a military operation, should it take place, would be conducted without sacrificing civilian lives.
Hasyim has also voiced his opposition to the use of military force.
"The government has to realize that a military approach is inappropriate as the fate of the province depends on its people, which has nothing to do with GAM. Why don't we try other approaches, such as religious and social ones?" Hasyim said.
He urged GAM to be realistic in facing the fact that no country in the world allows a secessionist movement.
Earlier, Akbar Tandjung, the speaker of the House of Representatives, and Juwono Sudarsono, a military expert and former minister of defense, recommended on Saturday that the use of military force be the last resort in resolving Aceh's problems.
Speaking on the sidelines of a seminar on nationalism held by the Golkar Party, Akbar said the House supported the government's plan to continue a peace dialog with Aceh rebels but it had to be conducted without sacrificing the sovereignty of the state.
"We (the House) insist that the government addresses problems in Aceh peacefully. But if the unitary state is put on the line, I think we have no other option except for taking stern action against GAM," said Akbar, who also chairs Golkar.
He said that most political parties at the House would throw their weight behind the government's plan to maintain security in the conflict-torn province.
Juwono shared Akbar's opinion, but stressed that the government had to ensure that the military operation was prepared to prevent civilian casualties.
The government will decide its further steps in Aceh during a Cabinet meeting on Monday. The measures include a possible military operation to quell the separatist movement there and efforts to save the Cessation of Hostilities deal it signed with GAM in December last year.