Jakarta – Indonesia's Parliament maintained a "soft" approach to the separatist movements in Aceh yesterday by rejecting civil-emergency status and promising better law enforcement for the troubled province. But it underlined that Jakarta would not tolerate further questioning of its sovereignty.

After meeting Coordinating Minister for Politics and Security Affairs Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, senior legislators declared their intention to re-engage Free Aceh Movement (GAM) leaders in "constructive dialogues" between now and Jan 15, the end-date for the "humanitarian pause" deal signed by the two sides in June.

"Indonesia will stick, for now, to the humanitarian pause. We want to build a channel to implement special autonomy for Aceh," said Mr Yasril Ananta Baharuddin, a Golkar legislator who chairs Parliament's Foreign Affairs and Politics Commission.

"Indonesian security apparatus will step up enforcement of the terms of the pause – seizing illegal firearms and equally providing security to every citizen of Aceh," said Military/police representative to Parliament Ferry Tinggogoy.

Parliament's support for the pause and the government's handling of the crisis came in the wake of growing speculation that GAM might declare an independent Aceh on the group's December 4 anniversary.

While MPs yesterday spoke carefully and softly, it is becoming crystal clear that the government will bring out its big stick in response to continuing calls for independence. "Indonesia wants to peacefully settle the issue, but talks have to be engaged with Indonesia's national unity as a presumed base," said Speaker of Parliament Akbar Tandjung.

Mr Yasril said: "Indonesian sovereignty is not bargainable. We will take drastic action if GAM insists on its current positions and refuse to start active negotiations."

Other legislators, however, advised the government to approach talks with a solid and reasonable special-autonomy package that the people of Aceh can seriously consider. "So far, the government does not have a detailed master plan to be offered to Aceh. This needs to be formulated soon," said PDI-P legislator Heri Akhmadi. "It is critical that in addition to the basic principles of autonomy, the plan also addresses the major complaints and specify the concessions and demands of the Indonesian government," he added.