Should Aceh obey Jakarta

Should Aceh obey Jakarta

The conflict in Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam province has yet to be solved. Violence continues unabated and more people are being killed everyday, mostly innocent civilians.

Chairman of the People's Consultative Assembly, Amien Rais, proposed three solutions to settle the conflict in Aceh. First, that the government immediately resume the dialog with the Free Aceh Movement (GAM). Second, that the law on special autonomy for the province be fully implemented. And third, that the Indonesian military and police take firm action against whomever commits violence.

The law on special autonomy for Aceh has yet to be implemented fully following objections from many groups who flatly reject cooperation with Jakarta in favor of total separation.

We believe that if such suggestions were implemented with a full commitment, peace would reign in Aceh.

If the government had done its best but GAM still could not accept the result, then the government should consider other policies. Imposing a state of emergency should be an option only after everything else fails, on the condition that the military and the police do not act blindly such as what happened during the military operation during Soeharto's time.

For us, what is most important is that Aceh remains an integral part of Indonesia and that its people live in peace and prosperity.

-- Republika, Jakarta