Muhammad Nur Hayid, Jakarta – The destruction of weapons belonging to the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) has received a warm welcome. The House of Representatives (DPR) is asking GAM to be consistent and surrender weapons on time.

“I [wish to] convey [my] respect to both parties, the TNI [Indonesian military] and GAM, particularly GAM which has already surrendered weapons in accordance with [the points] contained in the MoU [Memorandum of Understanding]”, said DPR chairperson Agung Laksono at the national parliament in Senayan, Jakarta, on Friday September 16.

Laksono believes that the surrender of weapons by GAM represents a good sign for peace in Aceh and must be maintained by GAM as well as the TNI. “GAM must be consistent in surrendering [its] weapons on time. There can be no weapons still being carried or stored and GAM must be genuine and sincere in having no other agenda”, he explained.

A member of the DPR’s Commission I, Yudhi Krisnandi, asked that GAM volunteer to be inspected by the TNI to prove that GAM is serious about creating peace in Aceh.

“Both parities, GAM and the TNI, must provide access for examination and investigation as well as indicating places which are suspected of being weapons storage locations”, said Krisnandi. “The TNI must also be prepared to be examined by GAM with regard to the number of TNI non-organic [troops that have been withdrawn]. This is a positive and pleasing step”, continued the Golkar Party politician. (aan)

[Translated by James Balowski.]