I

t seems as though violence, intimidation and murder will never end in Aceh.

Despite all the efforts taken by the authorities to stop the violence, the situation in Aceh remains the same.

I guess the root of the problem is the polarization of two local political parties: the Aceh National Party (PNA) and the Aceh Party (PA), most of whose constituents come from the same group: the Free Aceh Movement (GAM).

They have resorted to violent attacks to gain political supremacy over Aceh with little or no regard for the people living in the province.

Political murder, intimidation and terror have become their chosen tools to achieve their respective goals.

These latest attacks are not the first of their kind in Aceh. Previously, several legislative candidates from the PNA also became victims of similar violence and were shot or beaten to death.

Rafli Hasan
Medan