Soldiers to serve as district chiefs

Nani Farida, The Jakarta Post, Banda Aceh, Aceh

When First Lt. Khairul Arifin parachuted into Central Aceh regency in May, he was ready for combat.

But instead he ended up lying down his weapon and shedding his uniform. Along with 24 other military officers, Khairul is vying for a civilian job as a district chief in Aceh.

"I have to learn a lot, since I am used to holding a weapon," said Khairul, a member of the Indonesian Air Force's elite Paskhas force.

The 25 officers have been short-listed for the district chief positions in 13 districts in Aceh that were once controlled by the Free Aceh Movement (GAM).

Located in the regencies of Pidie, Bireuen, North Aceh and East Aceh, the districts have gradually fallen back under government control since Jakarta launched its military operation against GAM on May 19.

The planned installation of the new district chiefs follows last week's claim by Indonesian Military (TNI) Chief Gen. Endriartono Sutarto that Aceh "is 100 percent under Indonesian control".

But security in these 13 districts remains unsure amid fear of attacks by GAM.

"The 13 districts are empty and no district chief dares to work there," said Husni Bahari, an official at the Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam secretary office.

Because of security concerns, Aceh's military rulers have appointed soldiers to take over as district chiefs. Their assignment, Husni said, is temporary.

He said the old district chiefs, who had fled their homes, would continue to work out of the regents' offices until security improved.

The military will select the district chiefs from the 25 short-listed soldiers.

"All are middle-ranking officers and they come from outside of Aceh," Husni said, adding they would be given a crash course in the structure and mechanisms of the local government.

Khairul is taking his new civilian job seriously. "I want to do my best, and that is to make the region safe."

Another short-listed officer, Capt. Heru, said he was honored for the opportunity to become a district chief.

"What's important is how one adapts oneself," he said, adding that he wanted to restore security, good governance and the public's trust in the Indonesia government.

Navy officer Lt. Imanda, however, views the prospect of becoming a district chief with a bit of military indifference.

"Our superiors gave an order, we just have to follow it," he said, adding that "anyway, it's only temporary. Once the situation has stabilized, we'll be back with our troops".