Hasan Tiro wants Aceh people maintain peace

Aceh’s former resistance leader Hasan Tiro asked the Aceh people to maintain and nurture peace in the region in accordance to an agreement between the Government of Indonesia and the resistance group signed in 2005.

“To the people of Aceh, I call you to maintain and nurture peace. Let’s not destroy what we have created,” he said in a written speech read out by Malik Mahmud, a former leader of Free Aceh Movement on Saturday in Banda Aceh, Aceh.

 In his speech, Tiro asked to everyone who still disagrees on the agreement to “turn back and unite with the people of Aceh.”

“The price for war is expensive, but the price for peace is far more expensive. That’s why need to maintain it,” he said.  

Tiro also expressed his gratitude to the Indonesian government for keeping its commitment according to the memorandum of understanding, which was signed in Helsinki.

Now 83 years old and a Swedish citizen, Tiro arrived in Banda Aceh on Saturday morning, making a historic homecoming after spending the last 30 years abroad. (dre)