'There's still a chance to resolve Aceh peacefully'

Aceh police chief Insp. Gen. Bahrumsyah Kasman has been appointed head of the Aceh Civil Emergency replacing Governor Abdullah Puteh, who has to answer a summons by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) over corruption charges. The Jakarta Post's Nani Farida talked with Bahrumsyah for two hours about the weaknesses of the previous civil emergency and his future plans. The following is the excerpt.

Question: What factors were behind the decision to extend the Civil Emergency in Aceh?

Answer: It is based on many analyses and field data, including inputs from a number of societal groups in Aceh during the visit of coordinating minister for political, legal and security affairs (Widodo Adi Sucipto) early in November. A key point in the extension of the civil emergency is the monthly review.

Was there a review of the previous civil emergency?

We had already done that earlier. There were monthly reviews involving various interest groups.

Will the governor head the civil emergency administration?

It is stated in the presidential regulation that while the governor is undergoing legal process under the KPK, the duties and authority of the Regional Civil Emergency Administrator (PDSD) will be assumed by the coordinating minister for political, legal and security affairs as the Central Civil Emergency Administrator (PDSP). The PDSP may appoint as the administrator a PDSD member in Aceh. With his instruction No. 43 dated Nov. 18, 2004, the security minister has appointed the Aceh police chief as the administrator of PDSD here.

What are the achievements and weaknesses of the first civil emergency?

People should be the judge. The people can bear witness to the success and failure of the civil emergency. I personally think that in the previous civil emergency the regional administration lacked enthusiasm in discharging its main duties.

How many GAM members have been processed legally

Some 3,900 rebels have been processed from martial law until the civil emergency. Around 400 of them have been released.

How many of them surrendered voluntarily?

As many as 2,021 rebels surrendered. After joining a training program, they were given Rp 2.5 million each as capital to start a business.

How many police personnel were killed during the martial law and civil emergency?

Since the imposition of martial law and the civil emergency, 49 police personnel have been killed and 154 others injured.

What are the targets of the civil emergency in the next six months?

I will do what Bapak President wants us to do, namely conduct quality integrated operations. None of the five integrated operations will stand alone. All of the operations have to support each other.

What will be the parameters to scale down the civil emergency to civil order?

When the GAM leadership and field rebels surrender and hand over their weapons to us. As long as they exist, the operations will not be halted. That is what the security minister has expressed. We will continue to hunt down GAM rebels, unless they surrender and face the future Aceh together.

So, there is no plan to make peace with GAM?

From the very beginning, the Indonesian government has always offered a peaceful settlement (to the Aceh question). And even now, under the leadership of Bapak Susilo, the offer to resolve (the Aceh issue peaceful) still remains.

Is the peace (your are talking about) is similar to the 2002 Cessation of Hostilities Agreement?

Not exactly. Armed contacts still continue, but dialogs also remain. Hopefully, it can be achieved. I hope people who want to resolve the Aceh issue will also participate in the settlement process. Do not issue statements that may cause people to panic.

What about PDSD's commitment to fighting corruption in Aceh that has under the spotlight?

As the Aceh police chief and head of law enforcement, I have given my personnel the homework to investigate corruption cases at the regental level. There are 38 graft cases that are currently under investigation.

While Aceh's security condition has slowly improved, the number of people living in poverty has increased. How is that possible when so much money is being pumped into Aceh.

I think it is because job opportunities cannot accommodate the labor force yet. Indeed, there are a lot of funds, including funds to help conflict victims, economic improvement funds, and so on, but they are all in the form of cash. That explains why the economic recovery operation and humanitarian operation are so difficult. If the two operations run smoothly, job opportunities will come. But we will also find other factors that cause the high poverty rate.

During the second state of civil emergency, will there be priority areas because of, for example, the critical condition?

GAM rebels keep on moving. God willing, the civil emergency will not be applied in certain areas only. We are treating all regions equally. All areas must be taken care of so that safe areas will remain safe, and unsafe ares will be made safe.

Do you have any information about GAM recruiting new members during the state of civil emergency?

Perhaps not in the form of formal recruitment, particularly now that they are completely battered. But, if their family members get shot, they will just join GAM without being recruited. Supporting GAM does not necessarily mean taking up arms, but also by supplying logistics and giving information to GAM.

How strong is GAM now?

It has around 2,500 to 3,000 personnel with around 800 weapons.

Do you think they can be wiped out during the six-month civil emergency?

It depends on whether or not the integrated operations run smoothly and the public at large report (to us about GAM's whereabouts). Besides, the issue is over once we make peace with GAM.