Universities draft law on Aceh rule

BANDA ACEH: Three Aceh-based universities are involved in revising the special autonomy law on Aceh's governance, which is a key item in the peace agreement signed by the government and the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) mid last month.

The three universities in question are the University of Syiah Kuala (Unsyiah), the Ar-Raniri State Institute of Islamic Studies (IAIN) -- both in the provincial capital of Banda Aceh -- and the University of Malikussaleh based in Lhokseumawe, North Aceh regency.

The three institutions will focus on maintaining the uniqueness of Aceh particularly in the areas of education, culture, economy, and administration, Acehnese academic T. Kamaruzzaman said on Saturday.

According to the peace deal, the revised special autonomy law is expected to become effective before March 2006 to allow Free Aceh Movement (GAM) members to participate in regional elections scheduled for April next year. -- Antara