West Aceh Regency provides aid to former GAM combatant

Meulaboh (ANTARA) - The West Aceh Regency Government has provided aid to Abu Bakar, a former Gerakan Aceh Merdeka (GAM) combatant who is currently bedridden due to illness at his home in a village in Arongan Lambalek Subdistrict, in the regency. “I came today to encourage him, because the night of takbiran is a very sad night for someone who is ill,” said West Aceh Regent Tarmizi to reporters in Meulaboh on Friday. He stated that Abu Bakar, often called Ngoh Baka, is one of the former GAM Helsinki MoU combatants who is now bedridden due to the severe illness he is suffering. This visit is also one of the local government’s efforts to assist the people of West Aceh who are ill, while providing attention to its community. Tarmizi said that when he served as a member of the Aceh DPR, he also often helped Abu Bakar to get treatment at the hospital, as the individual has been in poor health for a long time. “He has a history of heart disease and has had several rings installed,” said Tarmizi. In addition to visiting and giving encouragement to Abu Bakar, during the visit and greetings, Regent Tarmizi also handed over assistance or aid to the former GAM combatant. Not only to former GAM combatants, the West Aceh Regency Government has also frequently visited its sick community members from house to house through the dokmaru programme or doctors entering homes. This programme was initiated by West Aceh Regent Tarmizi and Deputy Regent Said Fadheil, who have focused on treating community members with severe illnesses at home by bringing doctors to residents’ homes to provide maximum treatment.