In whose interests is it that Aceh is divided into two?
Aguswandi, Banda Aceh
Just when you think you have things figured out, they turn topsy-turvy on you. This might be the best way to describe the fallout caused by those advocating the division of Aceh into two new provinces. There is no economic, political, or administrative need for establishing a new province in Aceh right now. The idea of dividing Aceh into two provinces comes solely from the political elite's interest groups who want to gain greater power locally, however irresponsibly.
Locally, these groups are mainly composed of the elite from the highlands of Aceh -- Central Aceh, South East Aceh, Benar Meriah. Last year, while the government representatives and Free Aceh Movement (GAM) leaders met in Helsinki to labor on the peace agreement, the political elite of Aceh met in Jakarta to strengthen their demands for a new province called Aceh Leuser Antara (ALA).
In the last few weeks, while the House of Representatives has been discussing the new law for Aceh and both the GAM's leadership and EU head Javier Solana have been visiting Aceh to talk about peace and a better future for the province, the leaders of ALA have been issuing threats to take up arms if the government refuses to meet their demands.
This reminds us how the previous peace process in Aceh came to collapse. The highlands, especially the district of Central Aceh, were "hot spots" for the Henry Dunant Centre (HDC) team, who were mediating the peace talks.
First was the attack on the Joint Monitoring team office. This physical attack was then the start of what became an attack on the peace process itself. Indeed, after the incident, the peace process collapsed, martial law was imposed once more, the war began again. It later became clear that the attack had been organized by people within the political elite who felt threatened and weakened by the peace process.
This time, the elite are putting themselves in the line of fire as they go head to head with the prevalent desire for peace from the rest of Aceh. They are the bad old boys from the bad old days. Those who attacked the HDC office are the same people who are now demanding a new province for Aceh.
Their group also includes the "activists" that some refer to as anti-separatist fronts. Now, while peace in Aceh seems like a good thing for most people, they seem to see it as a personal defeat for themselves and their interests.
In their view, the present process in not in their favor, whether politically, or economically. The Helsinki MOU stated that Aceh's borders are those determined in July 1950, which include the central highlands as part of Aceh's territory. This means separation is not possible.
The government's reintegration program, while allocating huge amounts of money for economically empowering former GAM combatants through the BRA fund, is not accessible for them. This led to even greater anger and they have started accusing the government of discriminating against "the true sons and daughters of the republic".
To be fair, some of their arguments about the underdevelopment of the central highlands are partly true. Central Aceh and the West coast of Aceh are abundantly rich in natural resources, but they remain relatively poor and produce very little.
But this is not a sufficient reason for establishing a new province. The underdevelopment of the highlands was the reason behind the establishment of two new districts in 2003, splitting two existing ones into four. Prior to the division, we had South East Aceh and Central Aceh in the central highlands.
In response to the clear need for accelerated economic development, Bener Meriah and Gayo Lues were established.
The continued underdevelopment of these districts is partly the responsibility of the political elite. While these new districts' power has expanded under the Autonomy Law, little has been done to maximize development and to stimulate or enforce good governance.
Instead of working hard to increase production in the new districts, the local political elite are demanding a new province. While the people in these four districts continue to live in poverty, their leaders live in luxurious houses in Medan and Jakarta, spending more time outside their districts than in them.
What makes the problem more acute right now is the involvement of those politicians in Jakarta who see the advocates for the proposed separation as their allies in the opposition to the Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono-Jusuf Kalla peace initiative for Aceh.
Permadi, a House member from PDI-P, who is usually extremely reluctant to meet any Acehnese representatives, seemed suddenly eager to meet with pro-ALA groups. Soetardjo, another House member from the PDI-P party, even stated his support for a boycott by the central highlands of the next Aceh election.
A good strategy for reconciliation and reintegration is much needed in the central highlands. If we can make peace in the mountainous part of Aceh, we will be able to maintain for peace anywhere in the province.
The writer is a human rights advocate. He can be reached at [EMAIL PROTECTED]
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
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