Muhammad Nur Hayid, Jakarta – Ex-Free Aceh Movement (GAM) members who are granted amnesties but persist in seeking independence must be destroyed by the government immediately. The articles in the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) have been sign and the agreement represents the final deal to resolve the Aceh conflict with dignity.

“After obtaining amnesty if they persist in wanting independence, just destroy them yeah, because after the MoU was signed, GAM ceased to exist”, said the deputy speaker of the House of Representatives (DPR) Zaenal Ma’arif at the national parliament in Senayan on Tuesday August 30.

Ma’arif also questioned the government’s position on granting amnesty without an oath to Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia (NKRI), although this was recommended by the DPR’s Commission III. According to Ma’arif, the declaration of acceptance of NKRI in the MoU is sufficient and representative.

“The declaration is already in the MoU. They are loyal to the 1945 Constitution and NKRI”, asserted Ma’arif while expressing the hope that all parties restrain themselves so that the Acehnese people are not disappointed.

Responding to the possibility of armed clashes occurring in parts of Aceh, Ma’arif said that is still a normal thing, because armed clashes also occur in other conflict areas such as Ambon and Poso.

Nevertheless asserted Ma’arif, the government must act decisively against GAM members who still carry arms, because according to the MoU GAM must surrender its weapons. (san)

[Translated by James Balowski.]