Fedhly Averouss Bey, Jakarta – The Aceh Working Group (AWG) opposes the plan to form the Special Authority Agency for Aceh because it has the potential to turn the Acehnese people into ‘objects’.

“Instead of facilitating recovery, the formation of this body will instead have the potential to turn the people of Aceh and North Sumatra in to objects, and not the subjects of development”, charged AWG coordinator Rusdi Marpaung.

AWG he continued, believes that the a decision which was based on an agreement between the government and the People’s Representative Assembly (DPR) is one which is too partial in nature and could damage Acehnese society, as well as an effective systems of government.

This was related by Marpaung at a press conference at AWG’s secretariat in Central Jakarta on Thursday January 20. Also present was the coordinator of the Human Rights Working Group (HRWG), Rafendi Djamin, the executive director of the Centre for Electoral Reform (Cetro), Smita Notosusanto, as well as Centre for Legal and Policy Studies activist Bivitri Susanti.

AWG is asking the government to be careful in determining policies to restore the administration in Aceh. If there are plans to restore the devastated administration it would be better if the government conducts an assessment and develops local capacity to rebuild.

“Without paying attention to broader policies which already exist and careful improvements, the decision to form the Special Authority Agency, along with plans for rehabilitation and reconstruction towards a new Aceh will be a wasted effort”, said Marpaung.

Marpaung regrets that the Indonesian government with input from the DPR has launched the idea of forming the Special Authority Agency for Aceh. AWG is also calling on the government and the DPR to make its policy decisions in the framework of a comprehensive strategic policy for Aceh.

According to Marpaung, this framework must take into consideration polices which already exist and are in force in Aceh such as Law Number 18/2001 on Special Autonomy and Law Number 31/2004 on Local Government.

“AWG is also asking the government to continue peace efforts in Aceh through a process of negotiations which have already received a warm welcome from friendly countries. Without a peace process it will be difficult for a recovery process which is effective, transparent and accountable to occur in Aceh”. (sss)

[Translated by James Balowski.]