Nani Afrida, Banda Aceh – Deputy Governor of Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam Muhammad Nazar is upbeat regarding the implementation of sharia law in Aceh, denying it hindered reconstruction efforts and development in the region.
"I urge all stakeholders in Aceh to think clearly. Possibly there are a number of Muslims who still think rather conservatively, but it has nothing to do with the implementation of sharia law," he said.
"Aceh is open to anybody. But anyone entering Aceh has to abide by local regulations," Nazar said, adding there were many foreign investors doing business in Aceh. "The ratio of Muslim and non-Muslim investors in Aceh is about 50:50. This underlines the fact that Aceh is open to anybody."
Nazar's remarks were made in response to a statement about the implementation of sharia law made by Kuntoro Mangkusubroto, chairman of the Agency of the Rehabilitation and Reconstruction for Aceh and Nias (BRR), during a visit to The Jakarta Post's office in Jakarta on Sept. 20, 2007.
Kuntoro said during the visit many heads of government and donor states and international businesspeople questioned the implementation of sharia law in Aceh at a time when investment in the province had not been able to help solve unemployment and poverty.
BRR's communication director Juanda Djamal said in Banda Aceh on Wednesday that Kuntoro's statements to the Post had nothing to do with the implementation of sharia law. "There is no obstacle in connection with the implementation of sharia law and development in Aceh," Djuanda said, as quoted by Antara.
However, Rahmad Djailani, an activist from the Aceh People's Party, said the implementation of sharia law had not supported investment growth in Aceh.
"This is due to a kind of brutality from groups who claim to be supporters of sharia law through their actions. Sweepings, dispersing people who are enjoying recreational activities and the like have caused public unrest," Rahmad said.
"Historically, sharia law involved political bribes from the military during Aceh's period of fierce conflict. This does not answer the problems arising among Acehnese now," he said.
Student Riqki Salam said Aceh had implemented a politicized sharia law. "Many things have been forcefully applied in the implementation of sharia law in Aceh," Riqki said.
He said, however, the implementation of sharia law had not hindered development in Aceh. "Aceh is open to anybody. The proof is that there are still many investors from Middle Eastern countries who are more devout Muslims than the Acehnese."