Ex-rebel leader to visit Aceh

JAKARTA: Founder of the now-defunct Free Aceh Movement (GAM) rebel group Hasan Tiro is expected to visit his homeland Saturday for a traditional ritual at the provincial legislative council.

Kompas.com reported Thursday the charismatic leader, who holds Swedish citizenship since fleeing Aceh, would also hold a consolidation meeting with executives of the ruling Aceh Party.

"There will be many things on the table at the meeting," Ligadinsyah, a spokesman for the party, said.

Tiro made a historic return to Aceh last year after decades of self-exile to lead a rebellion against Jakarta rule.

Following a landmark peace deal in 2005, the GAM was dissolved and founded the Aceh Party which won the most votes in the 2009 legislative elections and secured nearly half of the legislative seats.

Aceh is the only province allowed to have local parties to run for legislative councils at the regional and provincial levels. - JP