W

ith the aid of a group of bodyguards and members of his extended family, founder of the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) Mohammed Hasan Di Tiro slowly enjoyed the scenery at an Aceh tourist resort.

At 84 years old, it is almost impossible for Tiro to walk without the help of others. "He is very old and weak. Only his spirit remains strong," Musanna Tiro, a member of his family, said.

His age and condition, according to Musanna, is also the reason Tiro has spent most of his time resting at the house the Aceh Transition Commission (KPA) has rented for him on Jl. Pemancar, Banda Aceh.

This is where former elite leaders of the GAM meet and visit Tiro, or the Wali as he is affectionately known as a former top leader of the secessionist movement, almost every day.

"There are also ordinary members of the community who come here just to see the Wali," Musanna said on Friday.

Many other important figures, including government officials, have visited Tiro when his condition permits him to do so.

"When there is an opportunity and he is in a good health, the Wali always tries his best to enjoy his stay here by sight seeing around Aceh," Musanna said.

Tiro returned to Aceh for the first time on Oct. 11, 2008 after being in self-imposed exile in Sweden for over 30 years, from where he led GAM. He decided to stay in Sweden, even changing his citizenship.

He attempted to return to Aceh following the signing of the memorandum of understanding (MoU) between GAM and the Indonesian government in Helsinki, Finland, in 2005, but failed to for undisclosed reasons.

Only GAM leaders who signed the MoU have returned to Aceh several times to monitor the implementation of the MoU.

Tiro made a second return to Aceh on Oct. 17, 2009, although the welcoming this visit was not as joyous as his first.

"The Wali says he wants to live in Aceh forever. That's why he always tries to come back from Sweden," Musanna said.

The Indonesian government has given Tiro a special visa to stay in the country for two months. "So far, he has stayed in Aceh for about three months," Musanna said.