Bernarda Rurit, Jakarta – TNI did not force the Acehnese to display the Red-and-White flag to celebrate Indonesian Independence Day on August 17, according to Indonesian Army spokesperson Brigadier General Ratyono.

"TNI did not force [the Acehnese] to display the flag," Ratyono told reporters at his office in Jakarta on Friday. He went on to say he had even been informed that the Acehnese were enthusiastic about the 57th Independence Day celebrations.

"They are enthusiastic about celebrating the Independence Day and are holding several contests and traditional games. [This year] Independence Day will be commemorated merrily in Aceh," he said.

Ratyono said that the situation in Aceh had been conducive recently and compared to the situation during last year Independence Day celebrations, recent conditions are better.

"People were afraid of the Free Aceh Movement [GAM] who intimidated them," he said. When he was asked about GAM's call for people to be on strike, Ratyono said security forces would handle it.