Puteh takes over power in Aceh

Nani Farida and Muninggar Sri Saraswati, Aceh/Jakarta

Governor Abdullah Puteh officially took over the command from martial law administrator Maj. Gen. Endang Suwarya on Monday, almost three weeks after the government lowered the province's status to a state of civil emergency.

The number of troops in the troubled province, however, would remain the same as the Indonesian Military (TNI) vowed to pursue a massive military offensive against the separatist Free Aceh Movement (GAM).

Puteh and Suwarya signed the transfer of command and operational control order in a ceremony presided over by acting coordinating minister for political and security affairs Hari Sabarno.

Suwarya will remain military chief of the restive province, where GAM rebels have been fighting for independence for the resource-rich territory since 1976. More than 10,000 people, mostly civilians have been killed since then.

President Megawati Soekarnoputri placed Aceh under martial law on May 19, 2003 and launched an integrated operation, which included law enforcement, humanitarian activities, empowerment of the bureaucracy and a security operation against GAM rebels.

TNI claimed that about 5,000 rebels had either been killed, captured, or have surrendered.

The government lifted martial law on May 18, 2004, exactly one year after it was imposed, and put the province under civil emergency, under which the civilian administration has the power to censor the press and impose a curfew if needed.

While the people have generally welcomed the change of status in Aceh, they have been critical of the appointment of Puteh as the its administrator.

Puteh has been questioned by police for alleged corruption involving the provincial administration during martial law.

The powerful Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) is scheduled to question him on June 10 about an alleged mark-up in the purchase of a Mi-2 helicopter in 2003.

However, in his speech marking the hand-over ceremony, Hari Sabarno defended Puteh.

"There is no regulation that requires the temporary removal of a state official undergoing questioning," he said.

He called on the Acehnese people not to think about the legal status of Puteh, but to maintain security in the province.

The minister added that Puteh would be assisted by a team of 18 assistants and observers. The team would help outline policies and solve problems that may occur during the civil emergency and monitor budget disbursement.

Sabarno denied suggestions that the formation of the team of assistants was triggered by Puteh's alleged corruption.

Sabarno refused to disclose the budget allocated for the province, but said that the funds were taken from the regional and state budget.

Meanwhile, Puteh refused to reveal any information regarding his questioning. "I am ready for questioning anytime," he said.

Separately in Jakarta, KPK deputy chairman Erry Riyana Hardjapamekas said the commission would continue investigation into Puteh's alleged corruption.

"We will continue the questioning. We do not need permission to summon anyone," he told reporters at his office.

The commission has the authority to summon anyone, including state officials without the approval of the president.

It had not finished its questioning of Puteh last week as the latter had to attend a meeting of governors in Aceh.

According to Erry, Puteh had promised to come back to the commission office for questioning on July 10 to give more information about the alleged markup in the purchase of the helicopter, which cost the state some Rp 12 billion.

The commission considers the helicopter overpriced because the Navy bought a similar chopper for only Rp 6 billion.