State of civil emergency sought for Aceh regencies

State of civil emergency sought for Aceh regencies

JAKARTA (JP): Three large factions in the House of
Representatives urged a state of civil emergency be imposed in
three regencies in the restive province of Aceh, a move they said
would help restore security and order.

The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan)
faction said on Saturday the trouble in Aceh was escalating,
especially in the regencies of North Aceh, Pidie and East Aceh.

"The tension will mount unless a state of civilian emergency
is imposed and security personnel given a legal basis
to act in restoring security and order in the region," Heri
Achmadi, secretary of the faction, said.

He blamed the separatist Free Aceh Movement (GAM) for the
prolonged mayhem in the province.

"PDI-P will press the government to impose a state of civilian
emergency," he said, referring to a planned meeting between the
House and President Abdurrahman Wahid on Tuesday.

Syamsul Muarif, chairman of the Golkar Party faction,
supported the proposal. However, he said a state of civil
emergency in the three regencies should not hamper planned talks
between the government and GAM during the humanitarian pause in
the area.

"We worry that GAM has used the humanitarian pause to continue
the violence in an effort to draw international attention and
discredit the Indonesian government," he said.

He said his party would support any attempts by GAM and the
government to end the violence. "Over the last two years, there
has not been a day without killing in the province."

Danial Tandjung of the United Development Party (PPP) faction
said imposing a state of civil emergency in the three regencies
was a necessary move. "(This is) because President Abdurrahman
Wahid has never taken effective and concrete steps to solve the
Aceh problem immediately."

He said it was time for the government to get tough in
stopping the violence in Aceh. The President can take such firm
steps as implementing a state of civil emergency, he added.

Opposition

Meanwhile, Alvin Lie, a legislator from the Reform faction,
opposed the idea, arguing the policy could prove
counterproductive.

"The problems in Aceh are different from those in other
chaotic provinces. A wiser approach would be preferable to stop
the violence and to restore security and order," he said.

However, Alvin said his faction would support the government
if it enacted emergency law in Aceh.

The chairman of the Aceh chapter of the Indonesian Ulemas
Council, Imam Suja', voiced similar objections.

Imam said he did not understand what was behind the proposal
to impose a state of civil emergency in Aceh. "Do they really
understand what has been going on in Aceh. Please don't be
arrogant. Let's look into ourselves to anticipate the positives
and negatives that would result from this policy."

He said imposing a state of civil emergency would result only
in more violence, and violence would not end the problems in
Aceh. "Don't victimize more people." (50/jun/rms/sur)