The government is slow
I must say I am not too far from reality by saying, in some cases, our government is telmi (acronym for telat mikir or slow thinking). This was evident when the government recently declared the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) a separatist group and that the government should act against it. This decision was reached after tough statements by the commander of the Army Strategic Reserves Command and Army chief of staff.
A GAM commander had said clearly that GAM had been fighting the government since 1976 and if the Indonesian Military (TNI) attacked them, they would fight back with thousands of their trained soldiers, spread all over Sumatra. However, the government only declared GAM a separatist movement in 2001, a clear proof that the government is slow in thinking.
Last year in a televised coffee morning chat, the President said: "If people want to talk about being free, let them talk. But if they start organizing and arming themselves, they should be arrested. The government is very serious about this. I have told the minister of home affairs and regional autonomy and coordinating minister for political, social and security affairs about this".
The government, through the minister of defense, has expressed fear of acting resolutely and said it was going to launch a "limited security operation". This is proof that the government has no courage to take firm action against GAM.
GAM is continuing their operations against civilians and the security forces, as announced by a local commander. GAM is attacking civilian installations, from district facilities to the governor's office. GAM is continuing to extort money from companies operating in Aceh, and nobody dares to report this. GAM violates human rights because they know they are "immune" (to prosecution). Even the National Commission for Human Rights is of the opinion that only the security forces have been violating human rights.
Further, I am wondering what is actually meant by "a limited security operation". Why not be firm because only firm and resolute actions will bring about the desired results in a short time. The indecisive attitude of the government will only prolong the suffering of the people.
The late Bung Hatta (former vice president) said "Use your left hand to hit hard when necessary but keep your right hand ready to shake hands for peace".
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Jakarta