His name is not as popular as that of Ishak Daud or Sofyan Daud. But this rotund man is a key figure in the Free Aceh Movement (GAM). He says he is the one who linked up Aceh Governor Abdullah Puteh with GAM Prime Minister Malik Mahmud at the end of 1999.

Sayed Mustafa Usab, 42, was born in Kabu Tunong in southern Aceh. He was once GAM coordinator for the Mereuhon Daya and South Aceh areas (1999-2001).

His task was to provide information to the GAM leadership in Sweden on the situation in the field and receive their instructions.

He completed his military training in Lybia during the 1989-1990 period.

Sayed owns two passports, one of them under the name of Heriyadi and the other under the name of Azri Azis. As a liaison man, Sayed's mobility is quite high. He can be met in Singapore, Malaysia, Sweden, the Netherlands, Denmark and even Norway. After the death of GAM commander Abdullah Syafei, the job of GAM's South Aceh coordinator was eradicated. Sayed did not have any specific role in the GAM hierarchy. When martial law was enacted by the Megawati government, Sayed became a freight and cargo broker in Jakarta.

Despite his moving from place to place, Sayed was nabbed by the Integrated Intelligence Team at Mal Depok on May 6 recently. Sixty troops were deployed to carry out the operation.

Sayed lives quietly these days. Wearing rubber sandals, a collarless white T-shirt and blue training trousers, Sayed is an inmate at the Tapaktuan Prison in south Aceh-the prison built by the Netherlands in 1912. In contrast to other inmates who must share with six, sometimes 10 people to a cell, Sayed occupies a cell measuring 10.5 square meters all by himself, with his own indoor bathroom. In that cell, Sayed told his story to Yandhrie Arvian of Tempo.

Is it true you once met with Abdullah Puteh? How many times?

Our first meeting was in mid-1999 at the Gran Melia Hotel, in Jakarta. When Puteh was about to become governor, I saw that he was looking fro support from all sides, including myself as someone from west and south Aceh. The next meeting took place in Singapore and at the Kartika Chandra Hotel in Jakarta.

In Singapore, who did Puteh meet?

Malik Mahmud. We met at a seafood restaurant outside the Hotel Royal Brunei, for about one hour. In front of Malik Mahmud, Puteh conveyed his intention to govern Aceh and asked for his blessing. Malik Mahmud did not give any response and thought that he had no right to give support, yet no right to forbid it either.

Is it true Puteh promised to give 40 percent of the province's revenue to GAM if he was elected governor?

I hold that promise. Puteh promised, if elected governor, that he would allocate 40 percent of the provincial budget for GAM. Frankly, when I first heard it, I was enthusiastic. In front of me and Zulkarnaen (Sayed's colleague when they met Puteh at the Kartika Chandra Hotel), Puteh also said he would shoot his own head if he reneged on his promise (a finger pointed to his head).

Where you tempted?

Personally, I was tempted.

Was the promise by Puteh fulfilled?

At the end, I found out Puteh made easy promises. I think Puteh is a hypocrite. After that, he never fulfilled any of the promises. He never gave anything to me or to GAM.

But Puteh denied ever meeting you.

Politicians are like that, hypocrites. I am ready to confront him if necessary. I want Puteh dragged into jail just like me.

Did you ever claim that promise?

No, because ever since he became governor, Puteh was always surrounded by armed men.

Did you ever report to Sweden over that promise?

Yes. But right from the start they [GAM in Sweden-Ed.] had asked whether Puteh could be trusted. It seems the GAM leadership in Sweden were already aware of Puteh's background since he became a businessman. So they were not surprised when the promise was not fulfilled.

Did Puteh ever send funds to GAM?

Never. There were even GAM people in Jakarta who sought Puteh out to kill him. So long as you know, many GAM people are angry at me because I am seen to support Puteh.

Did Puteh ever communicated again with Malik Mahmud?

Not likely. Puteh never met Malik Mahmud again. If a meeting took place, I would have been told by Malik.

Were you being used by the military to oust Puteh?

No. I was not used by anyone. I am against both the military and Puteh. I cannot be a tool of the military, even if I am in prison. I don't want to be involved in a conflict of interest between the military and Puteh.