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TITLE: Most Moderate Autonomy Law Draft Specially For Aceh |
AUTHOR: |
PUB: Kompas |
DATE: April 19, 2001 |
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In observer Fachry Ali's opinion, the law draft for Special Autonomy of Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam prepared by the community and the regional government of the special province of Aceh, is the most moderate draft ever presented by the Aceh people. Parliament which is studying the draft should take this in consideration before approval."Upon a closer look of the law draft and wording of it, it could not have been prepared by the Independent Aceh Movement (GAM). I think it only fair if Parliament extends its approval," said Fachry Wednesday (18/4) when his opinion was sought over the possibility of an immediate application of Islam law in Aceh. Parliament Chairman, Akbar Tandjung, told Kompas that the application of Islam law in Aceh is being debated by a Special Team for Drafting Special Autonomy In Aceh. Parliament and government could extend a special status on the grounds of growing cultural values in the region."Like the religious condition of Islam law in Aceh, we leave it to the region's preferences, however, it should adhere to the context of a United Republic of Indonesia which bonds this nation together," said Tandjung. It is known that Parliament's Special Team is studying the Special Autonomy Draft prepared by the people and the government of the Aceh District. The study of a closed nature brings to attention the possibility of Islam law in Aceh bolstered for immediate perusal. Despite the possibility of Islam law in Aceh, this should not necessarily make it an exclusive or closed district to non-Islam people. The essence of Islam teaches that Islam law does not condemn non-Islam people. Waning influence of government Fachry, an observer of politics and economy and of Aceh origin, explained that unarmed people in Aceh are doubted by two powers, by both the GAM movement and government. This will be crucial considering the waning role of government, if it still exists. Therefore, the ideas contained in the law should be given thought to by all parties concerned including Parliament, according to Fachry.Fachry explained that two matters should be emphasized in the solution of the Aceh question. First, next to the religious issue needing attention, the economy in Aceh, now paralyzed, comes up for immediate attention, The Aceh people are not facing poverty, they are already destitute. "Efforts have to be made to develop the economy of Aceh," he said. Second, Fachry went on saying, government should realize their good intentions in concern of Human Rights violations when Military Operations were the order of the day. Good intentions should actually be carried out, they should not be reduced to polite words only. If these two points are given attention to by government, the Aceh people will be appeased, according to Fachry."But, in reality Human Rights offenses are still a question mark in Aceh," he said.Speaking in terms of culture, fights over the influence of GAM and government is momentarily going on in Aceh. Those with the real answers over the situation are the living in Aceh. It is to be regretted though that there is no clear public perception yet. Fachry is not convinced that government would get to know the real situation of the Aceh people through the medium of the Home Minister, TNI Commander and the President. Uncorrelated In the House's Commission II member, Firman Djaya Daeli's evaluation, the offer to apply Islam law in Aceh is not significantly correlated with problems of socio politics, economy and law in Aceh. Economic and cultural injustice experienced by the Aceh community should echo genuine appreciation for Aceh's economic and cultural issues.Said Firman, apart from failing to respond and poor correlation of the real problem, application of Islam law in this region should match the idea of an enclave or closed region for Aceh."It will be bad precedence to togetherness and uniformity in the nation. What if other regions demand the same rights, are we ready to fulfill such aspirations?" Speaking in terms of the constitution and special autonomy in substance for Aceh which is offered in Rule No.IV/MPR/1999, the term special autonomy is coined to accommodate and open participation , creation and the Aceh people's initiative to approach culture and social from an aspect of togetherness with other community levels of the Indonesian nation. Firman also reminded of Islam law implications in Aceh where the legal system, political and defense security systems might come in for a total change. "I agree if the cultural system will be applied in special ways by the Aceh people," he said. Although Rule IV/MPR/1999 about the Broad Outlines of the State Course mandates special autonomy for Aceh - and Irian Jaya as well - which should be operational at the latest May 1 2001, in reality it only attracted attention when Parliament was in recess. Before that, the Special Autonomy draft prepared by government and the Aceh people had been neglected. At a plenary session to sound out the factions' views, the subject was canceled since it did not comply with the quorum rule. END |