Jakarta – Indonesian Armed Forces (TNI) Commander Air Chief Marshal Djoko Suyanto said that the theft and burning of Indonesian flags in Aceh were not separatist actions. He believed the incidents were a legal matter for the police to handle.

"There were no separatist actions. What constitutes a separatist action? Is it armed or unarmed? If it was an armed conflict, then we would be involved in the matter," said Suyanto in Jakarta on Tuesday (21 Aug).

Suyanto believed that the flag stealing and burning incident which took place in the lead up to Indonesia's Independence Day (17 Aug) was a matter for the police to handle. Suyanto said that there were no separatist movements or actions taking place in Indonesia anymore.

After a number of circles had called for the commander of Iskandar Muda Military Area Command to be replaced because of the incident, Suyanto clarified that there were no plans to replace the commander. "No one will be replaced as this case is entirely different to the Ambon case," replied Suyanto.

As reported previously, around 150 red and white flags were removed from houses by unidentified persons in Lhokseumawe in Aceh in the lead up to commemorating the 62nd anniversary of Indonesia's Independence. These actions were harshly condemned as a despicable act against the nation.

[Source: Detikcom, Jakarta, in Indonesian August 21, 2007.]