Markus Junianto Sihaloho – A House member on Wednesday sought help from the Army to prevent local political parties in Aceh Province affiliated with former members of the now defunct separatist Free Aceh Movement, or GAM, from winning the majority of seats in the provincial legislative council, or DPRD.
Anhar Nasution, a Reform Star Party, or PBR, representative from Aceh, made the request during a formal hearing between the Army and the House of Representatives' Commission I, which oversees defense matters.
Army Chief of Staff Gen. Agustadi Sasongko Purnomo attended the meeting along with other army generals.
"[The Army] should help to think and find ways of preventing the provincial legislative council from being dominated by local parties," Anhar said.
He said his own research had shown that most members of local parties in Aceh had tried to attract votes of local residents by promising to push for Aceh's independence from Indonesia.
"They promise that if Aceh gains independence, the people will not need to work anymore because Aceh's wealth is enough to fulfill all needs," said Anhar, who is seeking re-election in April's national legislative polls.
He said he was concerned Aceh might be heading toward a referendum on its future as a part of Indonesia, as had occurred in East Timor before its secession from Indonesia in 1999.
In response, Agustadi said the Army had no authority to comply with Anhar's request and was barred from actively influencing political issues in Aceh. However, he added, "I myself am really interested in monitoring Aceh, and I hand over whatever intelligence I receive to the military chief."
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle, or PDI-P, lawmaker Tjahjo Kumolo said Anhar's statement had been based on excessive fear and should be ignored by the military.
"I am not worried about any political games in Aceh because we have already passed a good and clear regulation affecting the province," said Tjahjo, who represents a Jakarta district. However, he said that the government should always bear in mind the needs of the Acehnese.
A 2005 peace deal between the Indonesian government and GAM required that the movement end its quest for independence in return for receiving broader regional autonomy, including the right to establish political parties. National parties have since raised concerns over the power of local political parties to win elections.
Irwandi Yusuf, a former GAM member, won the 2006 gubernatorial election, beating candidates from big national parties like Golkar, the PDI-P and the National Mandate Party, or PAN.
Former Army Chief Tyasno Sudarto last month said local parties could empower a nonviolent separatist movement in Aceh.