President prefers Acehnese figures as BOK members

Muninggar Sri Saraswati and Rendi A. Witular, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has expressed a preference for members of the soon-to-be-established Special Authority Board (BOK) -- which will be responsible for the overall reconstruction and rehabilitation of devastated Aceh -- to be Acehnese.

Speaker of the People's Consultative Assembly Hidayat Nur Wahid said on Tuesday that the President was looking for credible figures with clean track records, who "care about the Acehnese people."

"He did say that it would be better if (the members are) Acehnese," he said after a meeting with Susilo in his office.

According to Hidayat, the President emphasized that board members must understand the culture, traditions and particular needs of the Acehnese.

"He agreed that the board would not undermine the special autonomy (in Aceh) and instead strengthen the province's special status," he said, adding that Susilo would issue a decree on the board soon.

Former Iskandar Muda Military Commander (overseeing Aceh) Djali Yusuf and former finance minister Mar'ie Muhammad have been tipped to head the board, which would work for a five-year period.

Djali, who was a member of Susilo's campaign team, is a native of Aceh. It was earlier rumored that he would replace suspended Aceh governor Abdullah Puteh, who is facing graft charges.

Mar'ie, who is now the chairman of the Indonesian Red Cross, is known for his honesty and clean politics.

Hidayat, who visited Aceh last weekend, said the people there supported the establishment of the board, but hoped that its members would be serious and transparent in their work.

Earlier in the day, Susilo announced he had summoned Coordinating Minister for People's Welfare Alwi Shihab to report on donations for Aceh.

"On Jan. 26, the minister will present his report on the total donations received for Aceh and how much of that has been channeled. We guarantee the transparent and accountable management of the money -- not one cent will be embezzled," he said in his opening remarks at the state-owned enterprises summit.

Susilo said the government is determined to convince Indonesians and foreigners alike that their donations have indeed reached the needy in Aceh.

The Dec. 26 tsunami, which killed more than 166,000 people in Indonesia alone, has prompted the global community to pledge billions of dollars of tsunami aid.