Nani Afrida, Banda Aceh – After surviving Aceh's long struggle and even being jailed in 2003, former rebel leader Irwandi Yusuf has been installed as governor of the once-defiant province.
Hundreds of national and international guests flocked to the inauguration, held under tight security at the Aceh Legislative Council building in Banda Aceh. Large numbers of ordinary Acehnese stood outside the building and applauded after the swearing-in session.
Home Minister M. Ma'ruf presided over the ceremony. He urged Irwandi and his deputy, former jailed dissident Muhammad Nazar, to act as the central government's representatives in maintaining the cohesiveness of the unitary state of the Republic of Indonesia.
In addition, he asked Irwandi and his deputy to work together with the provincial legislative council to improve the welfare of the Acehnese. "The new governor is also expected to work with the provincial legislative council as partners, not as rivals," Ma'ruf said.
The minister urged the new governor to cooperate with the Aceh and Nias Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Agency for the benefit of the people of the tsunami-hit province.
Thursday's inauguration constituted a new era in the administration of Aceh, putting the province's leadership in the hands of former members of the now-defunct Free Aceh Movement (GAM).
Javier Solana, European Union high representative for the common foreign and security policy, sent a congratulatory message to the Indonesian government.
"I commend the Indonesian government, the Free Aceh Movement and the people of Aceh for fully endorsing the outcome of the first ever direct and democratic local elections and their will to work peacefully and in partnership for a common future," Solana said in a statement sent to The Jakarta Post.
"I'm confident that the choice of a former GAM representative, Irwandi Yusuf, as governor of Aceh will be beneficial for the continued peace process as well as the further reconstruction of Aceh following the tsunami disaster."
The US Embassy in Jakarta said Thursday that the inauguration of Irwandi and Nazar was a positive step forward in Indonesia's democratic development and in the Aceh peace process.
"We welcome the fact that all sides have taken a constructive approach to the election and have publicly committed to working together to develop the province and continue the peace process," the embassy said in a statement.
A traditional inauguration ceremony for the new governor was later held at Safiatuddin Park in Banda Aceh. The ceremony was attended by about 10,000 ordinary Acehnese, who came from nearly all parts of Aceh. They were invited to have a meal together as a symbol of thankfulness.
They were all supporters of Irwandi and Nazar, but their number fell short of the organizing committee's claim of about 50,000. Acehnese witnessing the inauguration ceremony expressed their desires and hopes for the future, centering not just on improved security, but economic development.
"I have never gotten any assistance. I hope the new government cares more about us, the victims of the conflict," said Nursyiah Abubakar from Alue Ie Puteh in North Aceh regency.
Nursyiah said she used to ask the government for help, but she got no answer. She said she hoped Irwandi and Nazar would be more attentive to people's welfare, since they know a lot about the needs of conflict victims. "If they fail to meet their promises, we will not elect them again... Just wait and see," she said.
Mustafa Yusuf, a resident of East Aceh regency, hoped the new provincial administration would be fair and honest. "They would be nothing if the people did not elect them... so after becoming our leaders, let's see what they will do for us," he said.