Kanis Dursin, Banda Aceh – Following the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the government and the Free Aceh Movement in Helsinki last Aug. 15, several GAM leaders who had lived overseas for decades began to head back to the formerly conflict-torn province.

One GAM heavyweight who recently returned is Malik Mahmud, the prime minister in the GAM hierarchy. Since his return Apr. 19, Malik Mahmud has been touring the province, especially visiting areas hit hardest by the Dec. 26, 2004 tsunami.

"People's responses (to our visits) have been tremendous," Malik Mahmud said to The Jakarta Post during an exclusive interview in his office in Banda Aceh recently.

Malik Mahmud, who is visiting Aceh for the first time after living overseas for more than 30 years, told the Post that the people of Aceh do not want to settle for anything less than what is specified in the Helsinki agreement.

"They are highly politicized. They know exactly what their rights are according to the Helsinki agreement and they told us to fulfill all the points stated in the agreement," he said.

During the 30-minute interview, which was also attended by GAM spokesman Bakhtiar Abdullah and National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) member Hasballah M. Saad, Malik Mahmud talked about the implementation of the Helsinki agreement, reasons why GAM dropped its demand for independence, and preparations for the upcoming gubernatorial and regental elections in Aceh. The following is an excerpt from the interview:

How do you assess the implementation of the MOU?

As far as GAM is concerned, we have implemented the most crucial part of the MOU, which is handing in our arms. We have done that without any major breach.

However, other articles in the MOU, such as the RUU (Aceh Governing Bill), are still of concern because the deadlines have been missed. The bill was supposed to be endorsed by the end of March, but the process has been delayed and we don't know when it will be passed.

Another point of concern is how much of the substance of the RUU is in conformity with the MOU. These are the concerns of GAM and of all the Acehnese people.

Recently I have been traveling to several places in Aceh, to townships as well as kampong areas. You know people in kampong areas are already politicized, they brought up this issue.

Is there any article in the bill that does not conform to the MOU?

I'm not supposed to comment at the moment. There are people in our team who are involved in the bill deliberation. I don't want to create polemics. We have a team and I think they are looking into all these issues.

Many people out there are still wondering why the Helsinki talks proceeded smoothly.

Well, we did have several meetings before the Helsinki talks. The meetings with the Indonesian government started in 2000. Of course we have given credit to the initiatives of the Henry Dunant Center. As you know, we did reach several agreements (in previous talks) such as on a humanitarian pause and Cessation of Hostilities Agreement, but there were just always problems. In once instance, we were about to sign (an agreement), but problems suddenly popped up.

For our part, we are very honest in seeking peace for Aceh as we believe that the end of any conflict is peace. But how to achieve that peace is subject to negotiation.

What were the issues that bogged down previous talks but that you managed to resolve in the Helsinki negotiations?

Aceh had been in a conflict situation, but with the tsunami (that killed more than 100,000 people) we saw that indeed the people in Aceh really needed peace. We took this opportunity to pursue peace negotiations.

Also, at that time the international community came in throngs to Aceh to give humanitarian assistance and help reconstruct Aceh. There was a very strong voice in the international community that this was the time to continue negotiations. They were very supportive. I presume they also monitored the progress of the previous negotiations that collapsed, but this time, everyone was very sympathetic with Aceh. While helping tsunami victims, they urged and supported this peace initiative.

In the MOU, GAM agreed to drop its demand for independence. Can you explain why you made that concession?

First of all, we have to understand why Aceh wanted independence. The policy of previous governments was that they didn't want Aceh to get independence and at the same time they imposed a system that was not acceptable to Acehnese, and this caused many problems.

Under the new government, we saw that this had changed. They were more flexible on that point and of course we have responded (accordingly). If Aceh can get what it wants peacefully without separating itself from Indonesia, why should we go to war? So, that is what I said at the time, that we had the right people at the right time and the right place to achieve peace.

What compromises did the government make during the Helsinki talks?

Well, we demanded (and the government agreed) that there would be local political parties in Aceh so that the Acehnese can form their own parties to implement their aspirations without any interference from parties outside Aceh. For so long, the Acehnese have not had their political rights and because of that there were a lot of problems... we had economic problems, social problems and of course the conflict.

But under the agreement, we saw that we could get back our rights, even though we would still be part of Indonesia. I think there are only five or six points in the agreement that state that Aceh still belongs to Indonesia, while other points state that the Acehnese are in charge of the province. So, we feel that we got our rights back.

Some suggest that the MOU was a face-saving act on the part of GAM, since the movement lost many members in previous wars and lost its base of support in the tsunami.

Well, we have to be realistic. We have to take into account the reality on the ground. If that (peace agreement) is a solution that's good for both parties, of course with dignity on both sides, why not! This is for the sake of peace, for the sake of future progress. So, there is nothing wrong with that and I think any other country in the world would do the same thing. And also when we come to that kind of situation we have to be very, very decisive and brave to face reality. And that is what we did.

How has the reintegration of former GAM members proceeded?

First, the word (re)integration is not correct, I think. GAM members are ordinary people of Aceh. They come from among kampong people in Aceh. So, when there was this ceasefire they just went back to their villages or families. Of course, life has changed for them. Before they were thinking of war, but suddenly the situation changed. When there is peace of course they have to think about how to go back to their normal lives with their families.

They have responsibilities for their families and frankly they are now jobless. Like anybody else, when you are jobless and you have families, you have a problem. The situation is worsened by the fact that economically Aceh is still below subsistence level. So it is very difficult for our people (former GAM members) to get suitable jobs. This is one of our concerns and I think it should be the concern of the government too. The government must think of concrete measures to resolve the problem because this is not the problem of Aceh alone, but a national problem. Of course there are some international communities who have helped us, but their assistance is only the minimum. Nevertheless, we thank them for that, whatever they did. We have to find some other means for our fighters to go back to their families and get suitable jobs.

Have all GAM members come down from the mountains?

Yes.

Have there been any reports of conflict between former GAM members and local people when they returned?

No. As I said, GAM belongs to the people and so the people are part of us. So, there is no conflict. As you see, this is the first time I have come back to Aceh after 30 years, and just two days ago I went around the regions of West Aceh – townships as well as rural areas – and believe me it was the first time in my life I went there. The response from people in those regions, both in kampongs and in townships where there were many rich people, was tremendous. I did not have any fear or concerns about safety. On many occasions I had to stand up just to say hello to them.

That reflects (the good) relationship between people in the rural areas and townships with GAM in Aceh.

What particular part of Aceh did you visit?

We went to Meulaboh, Tapak Tuan and other areas of western Aceh and we received a very warm welcome from them. Many people cried and were thankful for the (Helsinki) agreement and peace. However, they were very concerned about their future. And, amazingly, people in those rural areas understand about this RUU.

They told us that we have to achieve the Helsinki agreement 100 percent. So they are very conscious about their rights, and this is really amazing. That is why I said earlier that we had lost all of our privileges or rights, but now the rights have come back. Anyway, the journey was good and of course I emphasized (to the people that we will get what we agreed to in Helsinki) and I think the government will cooperate in this endeavor because this is good not only for the Acehnese but also for all of Indonesia.

The MOU also stipulated that former GAM members would be recruited as TNI (Indonesian Military) members. Has there been any move toward that process?

I think there is no move in that direction yet from either side. Well, we understand that's because of emotional things. For the moment, I think, we don't want to talk much about this because people are still emotional. For example, people in kampongs are very traumatized by people in uniform. So, I think, at this moment let them relax (laughs).

What preparations are you making for the elections?

We are thinking about fielding our candidates. But we have not decided who they are. I think in the coming weeks or months, they will come up.

Do you think GAM can win the elections?

Well, I think if you had followed me in my travels and witnessed how the people received me – well, I'm a GAM member. The people came to us crying, telling us they really hoped that this time peace would be sustainable so that they can improve their lives. This is very important, they understand and they know what their rights are and what they want. They brought this matter to us. So, we will try our best to deliver something that they had lost for a very long time.

Some observers doubt that you will win the elections. Are you ready to accept defeat?

(Laughs) Whatever the people's choice is, they have all the rights. So, whether we are defeated or not it's up to the people. For us, what we have and what we will deliver to the people will remain the same.

But the final decision should be in the hands of the people themselves. (Bakhtiar Abdullah interrupts: It's better to die fighting than to die standing (laughs). The fight will be in the political field. Of course, the fight is in the political sphere.

Under the current circumstances, can a fair election be held in Aceh?

I don't know yet. I'm very pessimistic about this (laughs). But, anyway, we hope for the best.

Do you have candidates for the gubernatorial post?

We are talking about it now, but we have not yet decided.

Are you running for the post?

(Laughs) I think not yet. You know, even if I run (and win) I cannot implement our policies fully. Perhaps in the 2009 legislative elections I can run. If we win the 2009 legislative elections in Aceh, we can implement our policies. At this moment, if I were in the parliament, perhaps we would have only one or two members, while the others would go against me (laughs). Anyway, that is the way it should be. We need to be patient. As I said earlier our fellow Indonesians should see that achievements in Aceh are also the achievements of Indonesia. Whatever is good for Aceh is also good for Indonesia.

What will you do if you lose the elections?

If the current conditions are right, I mean if democracy is at work here, we will become the opposition. That is natural. The gubernatorial and regental elections will also fill the gaps in the present local government. Under the current situation, we (GAM) cannot implement our policies because the old system is still here.

If you win the elections, what will be your highest-priority programs?

Our programs focus on improving the living standard of the poor because the poor constitute the majority of the people in Aceh.

How will you improve their living standard? I think we can do something about that. I'm confident of that.

How do you see the relationship between GAM and TNI if you are in power

Probably there will be problems. But I, GAM members and TNI are all human beings. I think we need a human approach especially in countries like Indonesia. We have to reflect on why the conflict happened, and where we are now and what is the best future for all.

This in fact shows that in general we need to improve ourselves. I think with this common understanding – for the betterment of a future Indonesia – why don't we sit down and think about the conflict and rectify our mistakes. Indonesia has a very, very great future if only we can plan well. I think Indonesia will become one of the biggest economies in the world.

Are you staying in Aceh for good?

At the moment, not yet because you know there are a lot of things that I need to do outside Aceh. Of course, now there are more things to be done in Aceh itself. I have decided that I will divide my time between Aceh, Europe and the United States. Of course, I think Aceh is still the final destination for me.

When do you think you can come with your family and stay here?

Well, I think after all the points in the MOU are implemented. Then, I will spend more time and energy here in Aceh.

What is your message for GAM members who remain overseas?

They can stay outside. Many GAM members staying outside the country have children. They are now being educated overseas. That is an advantage. I think in the future Aceh needs young, better-educated Acehnese.

Now we have families in all the Scandinavian countries – other parts of Europe, also America and some in Australia. In ten years' time, they will produce well-educated Acehnese. You know education overseas has a different, better environment and I hope that they will go back to Aceh one day.

How many children do you have?

I have four children of my own and two adopted children. They are all grown up and have families of their own.

Where are they living?

In Sweden and Singapore.