'Ocean commanders' face a sea of challenges in Aceh

Annastashya Emmanuelle, Contributor, Banda Aceh, Aceh

Solving seafaring-related problems has long been the role of the Panglima Laot, or the Aceh Sea Commanders, but the impact of the tsunami has taken the province's traditional arbiters into new territory.

The Dec. 26 disaster killed a disproportionate number of women in the province, who were unable to fight their way above the waves, leaving many men, themselves often recently widowed, competing for a small number of potential partners.

The Sea Commanders estimate 55,000 fishermen survived out of 70,000 in the province, while most of their immediate families on shore were lost.

The need for love, affection and companionship makes life a little more bearable, especially for the many now living in refugee camps who have little source of income. But it also leads to romantic disputes flaring up quickly in places where conditions are still difficult and emotions are brittle.

Panglima Laot secretary-general Adli Abdullah said the commanders often had to deal with situations where up to three men found they were courting the same woman, which necessitated some careful negotiations.

"We talk to each man separately and then with the woman in question and ask her to say honestly which of the three she has her heart on," Adli said.

Matters of the heart are precarious, and Adli admitted that most of the commanders did not have the expertise in settling such disputes, despite the fact that all were married men.

"This is new to us. Before the tsunami we never had to deal with these kind of problems. It feels a bit uncomfortable having to be involved in such private matters."

Created in the empire of Sultan Iskandar Muda in 1607, the commanders' first role was as tax collectors. Over the years, their business has changed and their jurisdiction now comprises 425,000 people, mainly fishermen, fish farmers, boat builders and marine tradesmen.

Panglima Laot now has 132 commanders from the sub-district, regional and the provincial level, with each accustomed to handling maritime issues that range from territorial disputes among locals, to fisherman detained overseas for trespassing national boundaries.

Decisions taken by the organization are usually adhered to by the disputing parties and most problems are solved within the organization. But dealing with the social problems of their members is stretching commanders, who already have a mammoth task in front of them -- helping to rebuild the shattered fisheries sector.

Engaged in Aceh's reconstruction, the commanders had found a new role advising and lobbying donors to help restore Aceh's fishing communities, Adli said.

With 9,500 boats destroyed and dozens of fishing ports wiped out or damaged, most of the surviving fishermen were out of work. To solve the immediate day-to-day living problems for their people, the commanders were working with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), which had enrolled the surviving fishermen into its clean-up program, with each paid Rp 30,000 (about US$3) a day for their work.

Constant meetings with NGOs, Adli says, has meant the work to restore fishing in Aceh was slowly under way, but not all fishermen are satisfied with the progress.

"We still haven't received new boats and fishing nets," said Mahdi, who along with other fishermen has set up makeshift houses next to the Krungcut Bridge in Banda Aceh after he lost everything when his village, Alue Naga, was destroyed.

"They are aware of our needs, but there's no progress," he said of the commanders. Many NGOs had also came to Krungcut Bridge with promises of assistance but none had been forthcoming, he said.

Adli admitted the fishermen were weary, saying that at present the organization could only hold on to the promises made by NGOs and other potential donors.

He noted that the assistance for the fishing communities was not only coming through the commanders, as some donors coordinated directly with the provincial government.

The disaster also had prompted "the mushrooming of 'instant NGOs'" he said, whose members spread hope to the exhausted disaster victims but did not necessarily deliver on their pledges.

"We warned the community not to be easily swayed by people carrying business cards bearing NGO logos. At the same time, we advise established NGOs and UN organizations to be cautious when they select local partners."

However, if aid did not reach the fishermen soon, it would not only be the good name of the NGOs, but also of the Sea Commanders that would be threatened, Adli said.