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Letter: Aceh after Hasan Tiro
The history of contemporary Aceh is very much linked to Hasan Tiro
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he history of contemporary Aceh is very much linked to Hasan Tiro. If classical Aceh in the 17th century goes to the Great Sultan Iskandar Muda, the 20th century and Aceh-Dutch war goes to Teuku Umar and Cut Nyak Dien, the independence and post-independence era of 1960’s goes to Tgk. Mohd.
Daud Beureueh, then Aceh over the past 30 years goes to none other than Hasan Tiro.
Hasan Tiro has shaped Acehnese consciousness and characters, and laid the foundations for Aceh for the next 30 years, which we have yet to discover belongs to whom. When Hasan Tiro initiated the movement in 1976, he was 51 years old. Aceh at that time was 1136 years old (considering the kingdom of Peureulak established in 840 as the root of Aceh as a regio-political entity).
Despite the 10-century gap, Hasan Tiro was able to capture the Acehnese spirit. This was a spirit that was not lost over the passage of time. He also managed to properly elaborate that spirit and transform it into a manifesto of struggle for modern Aceh.
The Free Aceh Movement was thus declared as the continuation of an unending struggle to achieve the ideals. This movement soon received massive attention. Old and young, men and women, signed commitments to struggle with him to achieve these ideals.
Nevertheless, Hasan Tiro’s declaration also triggered Jakarta to respond in a military approach. The war that ensued lasted for more than 30 years, before an MoU was signed on Aug. 15, 2005 with both sides agreeing to stop fighting. The Aceh war was the second-longest war experienced by Aceh, after its war with the Dutch. This war not only claimed thousands of lives but once again put Aceh’s civilization on hold. Aceh has had to pay an expensive price for its commitment to achieving its ideals. Not only is Aceh a less developed region, it is also the most isolated and closed region in Indonesia’s modern history.
The MoU opened a new chapter in the contemporary history of Aceh. However, with the death of Hasan Tiro, many people have asked whether peace will remain? Is there any potentiality that conflict will re-emerge in a new form? Just like what happened after the death of Tgk. Mohd. Daud Beureueh, Hasan Tiro declared a new form of movement.
The answer very much depends on the key that Aceh and Indonesia have achieved so far, namely the MoU. How will this be implemented, how much room will Jakarta allow Aceh to govern himself, and to what extent will the Acehnese be satisfied with the progress. The MoU is a win-win for bargaining to what extent Jakarta has authority over Aceh, and to what extent Aceh can enjoy its freedom in the framework of self-government. The MoU therefore should not be understood as a check to reintegrate the “region” of Aceh into Indonesia. Nor is the MoU a Daerah Istimewa agreement, post DI/TII conflict, nor a Syari’at Islam status. The MoU is a comprehensive framework for Aceh to structure and organize its own government.
With this perspective in mind, Jakarta will not lose anything. Its authority over Aceh, income generated from Aceh, and right to defend Aceh from external attack is well maintained. The MoU in fact is the key to winning the “hearts” of the Acehnese people, so that they will willingly and consciously integrate themselves into Indonesia.
Such a perspective is important because Aceh, throughout the history of Indonesia, has never shown territorial commitment. Aceh has never been forced to submit to any idea of region. If Indonesia wins the hearts of the Acehnese people, not only will they be willing to share the region (territory), the Acehnese will also give their heart and soul. Since this is the key to peace in Aceh, a whole-hearted commitment to the MoU should be given by the elites both in Jakarta and Aceh.
The Jakarta elites (House of Representatives, the president and all the higher government institutions) should make the MoU above any laws, rules and regulations they establish for Aceh.
Jakarta also should be sensitive to the privileges Aceh deserves as a result of the MoU. The history of how the MoU was achieved should always be remembered when they want to make a new policy for Aceh.
Hafas Furqani
Jakarta
