Banda Aceh – Politicians and human rights activists in Indonesia's strife-torn Aceh province welcomed the end of martial law here Friday, expressing hope it would lead to a new war on corruption and poverty.
The government in Jakarta said Thursday it would call off martial law which has been in force in the resource-rich province for the past year while troops battled separatist guerrillas.
On the first anniversary of the military campaign next Wednesday, Aceh's status will change to civil emergency, in which civilian authorities are in charge but have power to order press censorship, curfews and other restrictions.
"I am of the opinion that the problems of Aceh stems from a lack of concern ... including misuse of authority," said Ahmad Human Hamid, a sociologist at Syiah Kuala University. "If firm steps aren't taken to gain the trust of the people, all efforts are just useless."
He called for continued investigation of corruption in the province where, despite its wealth from oil and other natural resources, there is increasing unemployment and widespread poverty.
A provincial legislator from the National Mandate Party, Almanar, said the priorities of a civil emergency administration should be security and economic recovery. "I reckon prosperity of the people is the key to settling the Aceh conflict. If the people still live in poverty, especially in a wealthy area like Aceh, maybe problems will continue," Almanar said.
"Everyone knows there is an extremely large amount of money flowing to Aceh. Where has this – the people's money – been taken?"
Rufriadi, a lawyer and human rights activist, called for suspected corruption cases to be followed up "so the people can see that the government is truly serious in wanting to get to the bottom of the conflict in its entirety."
Saifuddin Bantasyam, a Syiah Kuala University legal expert, said people have the impression that the local government only wants to enrich itself while the people suffer. Rufriadi called for a return to dialogue involving all components of the community, including the Free Aceh Movement (GAM). The rebels have been fighting for an independent state since 1976.
Maj. Gen. Endang Suwarya, the martial law commander, said Friday that despite the change in Aceh's status the military and police will continue their operations "so security and prosperity of the people can be attained."
Teuku Kamal, director of a non-governmental organization, said that whatever Aceh's status the political and security conflict must be quickly settled. "Under civil emergency the fact is there is room for negotiations. So the door to dialogue must soon be opened," said Kamal, of Caring for the Populist Aceh Economy (PEKA).
The military says about 5,000 rebels and their sympathizers have been killed, captured, or surrendered during the year-long offensive. Rights activists say many of the alleged GAM members are civilians.
Two more suspected rebels died in gun battles and a stray bullet wounded a civilian Thursday, the military said.
Maryam, a vendor in the Aceh market, said people like her just want to earn a living without fear. "What's important for us is the creation of a peaceful environment, and an end to the shooting," Maryam said.