The government is slow

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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