The secretary-general of the Dewan Ketahanan Nasional (Council for National Resilience), Lt. General M Yasin said that Indonesians must be vigilant about the emergence of separatism in their midst.

Strategic issues that threaten national resilience such as separatism, extreme movements, fanaticism, terrorism and federalism must be crushed.

"This is something that we must all pay attention to together. Separatism, federalism and suchlike are emerging everywhere. We must remain vigilant so as not to be dragged down," he said, according to Antara.

He said that some Indonesians are insufficiently vigilant which is evident from the fact that a separatist movement now exists within society. The unfurling of the RMS flag on National Family Day is an example of the fact that separatism still exists in Indonesia.

Indonesians must stand firmly behind Pancasila as the basis of the state and the Constitution. "If everyone stands firm behind the Pancasila, there will be no space for the separatists."

Earlier, Muladi, Governor of the National Defence Institute said that separatist movements such as are occurring in Aceh, Papua and Ambon must be firmly crushed as they represent a serious danger to the unity of the NKRI.

Yasin also said that as an archepelagic state, Indonesia faces the danger of splits. Plurality and heterogeneity in Indonesia can lead to splits. As an archepelagic country, Indonesia faces problems with security which means that there is a great need for patrols.

The failure of the government to take seriously the views of Lemhanas regarding the threat from GAM to separate Aceh from the Republic by political means was to be regretted. The matter should not get out of control for this would mean that it would be too late to do anything about it.

Since the adoption of the Memorandum of Understanding in Helsinki, the government has allowed the attributes of GAM to be used in Aceh. This is creating the impression that GAM is being regarded not as a rebellious movement but as heroes..

[Abridged translation posted by TAPOL.]