Jakarta – Over 60 per cent of Indonesians back the imposition of a civil emergency in the restive Aceh province, according to a nationwide survey.

The poll, published in Media Indonesia newspaper yesterday, said 62 per cent of 613 respondents surveyed said a civilian emergency should be imposed on the province where the Free Aceh Rebel movement (GAM) has been fighting for independence for 25 years.

Some 43 per cent agreed with the imposition of martial law while nearly 70 per cent said they were not confident negotiations could resolve the conflict.

Jakarta's decision earlier this month to brand GAM a terrorist group found favour with 55 per cent of the respondents.

But the national view is at odds with the opinion of the locals who hold that conflict resolution should be entrusted to the provincial administration.

Yesterday, the Jakarta Post reported that Aceh Governor Abdullah Puteh had joined forces with the provincial legislative council, clerics and non-governmental organisations to oppose a civil emergency. He said 90 per cent of the Acehnese were against the proposed move.

"It is necessary to enforce the law to restore security and order but this must be followed simultaneously with concrete actions to improve the people's social welfare," he said.