Walk Alone in Aceh

Swimming Pool In Lhoksemawe

2008-03-24T22:10:00.000-07:00

Arun Executive Swimming Pool

I dream to swimm for long time since iam stepping back in Aceh, its was sunday when a friend of mine calling and wake me up from a deep sleep, his hurrying me to dress and went to the swimming pool closely to my hometown.

This swimming pool open for public (if only you know the way to entry). but ironically this pool belong to the factory of PT.ARUN NGL located in Batuphat, and served only for an employee of this Gas Factory.

What you need only passing entrence gate of 'Complek Arun'. this gate guided by many security man, what u need to show only an ID Card or Driving Licence handed to the security man and after that you may pass the entry gate. so dont forget to bring an ID card when you wanna go to swimm in this pool.

the pool was beautifull located in the feet of the small hill, water and place was keeping in clean and neat, once you came in and you are hungry to swimm this place is the one to relax with great view opposite to the pool.

Here I am after swimming my face look so dusky burning by the sun .... look out the backside view...what do you think..??? Its'nt the best pool in Lhokseumawe..

Warrior of Aceh - Tgk di Lapan Samalanga

2008-03-21T00:32:00.000-07:00

Hi every one....

It's was in wednesday when a friend of mine telling me a story of greatest warriors of Aceh fighting in Samalangan, this district belong to Aceh Pidie its 300 Km from Lhokseumawe. the story telling that there is eight warriors fighting for independent of Aceh since its came the foreign invaders from Ducth.

The Eight warrior of Samalangan never said to give up their fighting to the invaders, until the eight of them pass away in Samalanga.

we can see the grave easily when we pass to trip to Banda Aceh, The Acehness used to donated some money putting to the box closely to the grave of the eight warriors. the charity from collected money taken by a local people to build a Masjid just opposite the grave. the Masjid look very beautiful sight combining the modern and classical architecture of Aceh.

a friend of mine took some picture of the Masjid here the sample..!!!

I am not able yet to make trip to this place, and i used to go to Banda Aceh but iam not aware of this site, the greatest story of eight warriors of Samalanga just remind in the mind of ancestor of Aceh, the youngster just like me never great the past story of Aceh.

Hopefully with this little reminder i can make myself more aware of the past and the history of Aceh. i'll be in this place short time i hope and get detail story of this eight warrior.

I dont even have the eight warrior graves, so sorry guys could not serve you with detail picture and story, but this could litlle bit remind me so i'll collect more detail information of this story in short time.

even a friend of Mine Called as Rahmi could not give me a detail story of this eight warriors of Samalanga, then i got to find new informan of this story..may be a reader of this site can describing me a thrue story of eight warriors of Samalanga..
Please send me an Email to irwansyah.yahya@gmail.com

Surfing in Aceh

2007-03-05T10:45:00.000-08:00

Hi there Netter..

the recent news that i got is the youth in aceh start back to surf in the sea wanna see some pic here i got some from http://www.acehforum.or.id

Pic 1.

Here are showing local people prepare to ride the sea and having fun in Lampuuk..

While, it just a fun...wanna join them and u dont have good preparation .. dont worry about that coz u can find a small shop provide a complete material for surf... take a look at small cute shop down here

Pic 2.

I dont know a lots about surf ... tried once and fail thanks god i know how to swim that help me much while i surf in Kovalam last year...may be the wave is not so friendly that day.

click here to see more about the shop http://www.flickr.com/photos/oceanzonesurf-aceh/

what r u waiting for just prepare the boat and start to go...

the wave in aceh are waiting....

From Banda Aceh to Pulau Weh

2007-02-26T12:58:00.000-08:00

From the airport of Banda Aceh, it's about half an hour to Ulee Lheu, close to the center of Banda Aceh, from where the ferries to Balohan (Pulau Weh's ferry harbour) are leaving.

FERRIES FROM BANDA ACEH TO PULAU WEH

Daily
Pulo Rondo (fast ferry) ETD:09:30 ETA:10:30
Saturday to Wednesday
Slow car ferry ETD:11:00 & 17:00 ETA: 13:15 & 19:15
Thursday & Friday
Slow car ferry ETD:14:00 ETA: 16:15
Daily
Baruna Duta (fast ferry) ETD:16:00 ETA: 17:00

FERRIES FROM PULAU WEH TO BANDA ACEH
- Saturday to Wednesday
  Slow car ferry ETD:08:00 & 14:00 ETA:10:15 & 16:15
  - Thursday & Friday
    Slow car ferry ETD:08:00 ETA: 10:15
  - Daily
    Baruna Duta (fast ferry) ETD:08:30 ETA: 09:30
  - Daily
    Pulo Rondo (fast ferry) ETD:16:00 ETA: 17:00
In Balohan on Pulau Weh there will be mini busses waiting for public transport to the town Sabang (around Rp 20.000), from where you can look for some local transport to the beaches. There are not enough regular schedules to the beaches though (best before noon), so expect you'll need a taxi or a chartered minibus, especially after arriving with the afternoon ferry.

Taxi's on the island are fairly expensive, count on around 150.000 to 200.000 for a taxi from the harbour straight to Gapang Beach, or around Rp 50.000 per person in a minibus, for the one hour scenic trip around bays and over steep hills with prime forest and many monkeys.

From Medan to Banda Aceh Via Air

2007-02-26T12:16:00.000-08:00

There are 4 airline companies offering daily flights between Jakarta, Medan and Banda Aceh: Garuda Airlines, Adam Air, Lion Air and Sriwijaya Air .

NON-STOP FLIGHTS FROM JAKARTA TO BANDA ACEH (CGK-BTJ)

Daily Lion Air JT304 ETD:07:30 ETA:10:10
Daily Garuda GA184 ETD:09:00 ETA:11:20
Daily Garuda GA198 ETD:16:30 ETA:19:10

FLIGHTS FROM MEDAN TO BANDA ACEH (MES-BTJ)

Daily Garuda GA180 ETD:08:45 ETA:9:45
Daily Adam Air KI214 ETD:09:45 ETA:10:45
Daily Sriwijaya Air SJ 016 ETD:12:20 ETA:13:20
Daily Garuda GA188 ETD:14:45 ETA:15:45
Daily Lion Air JT396 ETD:16:30 ETA:17:30

FLIGHTS FROM BANDA ACEH TO MEDAN (BTJ-MES)

Daily Garuda GA187 ETD:10:25 ETA:11:25
Daily Lion Air JT397 ETD:10:40 ETA:11:40
Daily Garuda GA189 ETD:13:00 ETA:14:00
Daily Adam Air KI215 ETD:11:40 ETA:12:40
Daily Sriwijaya Air SJ017 ETD:13:50 ETA:14:50
Daily Garuda GA197 ETD:16:25 ETA:17:25

NON-STOP FLIGHTS FROM BANDA ACEH TO JAKARTA (BTJ-CGK)

Daily Garuda GA187 ETD:10.25 ETA:14:10
Daily Lion Air JT307 ETD:18:00 ETA:20:50

Prices one way (double for return): Garuda uses 10 different price classes, with a standard economy class at Rp 404.400 till Rp 889.400 (business class)

More details on www.garuda-indonesia.com
Adam Air has 5 different rates between Rp 290.000 and Rp 570.000 NEW on-line tickets available http://www.flyadamair.com/
Lion Air starts at Rp. 250.000 till Rp 648.000 http://www.lionair.co.id/
Sriwijaya Air starts at Rp 238.000 till Rp 648.000 http://www.sriwijayaair-online.com/

Aceh MOnitoring Mission at A Glance..!

2006-07-09T02:42:00.000-07:00

The AMM has been established to monitor the implementation of various aspects of the peace agreement set out in the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by the Government of Indonesia and the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) on 15 August 2005 in Helsinki, Finland.The AMM is a civilian mission which consists of monitors from the European Union and five ASEAN contributing countries.
http://www.aceh-mm.org/

AMM regrets shooting incident in Paya Bakong

The Aceh Monitoring Mission (AMM) deeply regrets the shooting incident that took place in desa Keude Paya Bakong, Lhokseumawe area, in the evening of Monday 3 July that lead to an unfortunate loss of life and injuries to two others. Our thoughts are first and foremost with the victims and their families. No AMM personnel were wounded in the incident and all monitors who were present at the incident are safe. AMM considers this a serious incident and further investigations will be conducted.

http://www.aceh-mm.org/english/info_menu/archive.htm

[SIRA_Links] Seruan Mogok Massal Damai.!

2006-07-09T02:33:00.000-07:00

Seruan Mogok Massal Damai.!
Selama ฝ (Setengah) Hari, Selasa, 11 Juli 2006, Pukul 06.00-12.00
Selamatkan MoU Helsinki ...Selamatkan Perdamaian di Aceh...
Dengan Mendorong Penyempurnaan RUU Pemerintahan Aceh

”Pemerintah RI dan GAM tidak akan mengambil tindakan yang tidak konsisten dengan rumusan atau semangat nota kesepahaman ini”. Inilah kalimat kunci dalam MoU Helsinki yang patut diperhatikan oleh kedua belah pihak untuk menyatakan sikap politik yang jelas bagi tegaknya perdamaian abadi di Aceh. Oleh karenanya RUU PA yang akan menjadi UU PA setelah disahkan bukanlah sekedar produk hukum, melainkan berkaitan erat dengan resolusi konflik. Ini berarti bahwa berlanjut atau tidaknya
proses perdamaian Aceh sangatlah tergantung kepada UU PA. Jika UU PA sesuai dengan MoU Helsinki Insya Allah perdamaian, keadilan dan pemerintahan yang baik (good governance) akan tegak di Aceh.

Sebaliknya, UU PA yang tidak sesuai dengan MoU Helsinki akan mengancam/ merusak perdamaian dan tidak akan melahirkan pemerintahan yang baik dan keadilan di Aceh. Sejauh ini substansi-substansi RUU PA yang sudah selesai dibahas di tingkat pansus (paripurna tingkat satu) oleh DPR dan Pemerintah RI masih sangat banyak yang bertentangan dengan MoU Helsinki, diantaranya adalah:
 Istilah-istilah hukum (nomenklatur) yang ada dalam RUU PA banyak bertentangan dengan MoU Helsinki.
 MoU Helsinki tidak dijadikan sebagai landasan fundamental RUU PA/ UU PA;
 Penambahan kewenangan pemerintahan yang bersifat nasional yang tidak ada dalam MoU Helsinki;
 Upaya serius pemerintah RI untuk mengintervensi dan mengurangi kewenangan pemerintahan Aceh dengan cara mengatur norma, standar dan prosedur;
 Pengelolaan Sumberdaya Alam bukan sekedar diserahkan kepada Aceh lalu nantinya dicabut lagi, tetapi seharusnya memang kewenangan penuh pemerintahan Aceh sebagaimana MoU Helsinki;
 Pengelolaan minyak dan gas harus menjadi kewenangan penuh pemerintahan Aceh, tidak boleh dikelola bersama. Pemerintah RI akan dikasih keuntungan 30 % oleh Aceh, inilah kesepakatan MoU Helsinki yang sekarang dibolak balik dalam RUU PA;
 Pembelokan partai lokal untuk menjadi bahagian dan afiliasi dari partai politik nasional sehingga tidak lagi menjadi entitas politik lokal Aceh;
 Pembelokan tugas dan peran TNI padahal dalam MoU sudah tegas disepakati bahwa TNI hanya bertugas menjaga pertahanan luar. Sehingga konsekwensinya penempatan TNI juga harus sesuai dengan perannya, yaitu TNI di Aceh harus ditempatkan pada pangkalan-pangkalan khusus hanya untuk menjaga
pertahanan luar;
 Wali nanggroe hanya dibuat sekedar lembaga adat dan budaya, padahal MoU Helsinki tidak membatasi pada peran adat dan budaya saja;
 Peradilan sipil tidak berlaku bagi TNI yang melakukan kriminal/kejahatan sipil, sedangkan dalam MoU Helsinki harus diberlakukan peradilan sipil kepada TNI yang kriminal;
 Peradilan HAM yang lebih mundur karena tidak berlaku retroaktif (tidak berlaku surut);
 RUU PA tidak memasukkan jaminan pelaksanaan hak-hak sipil dan politik, sosial, budaya dan ekonomi sesuai konvenan internasional Perserikatan Bangsa Bangsa, sedangkan dalam MoU Helsinki hal ini menjadi salah satu point yang disepakati pemerintah RI untuk dilaksanakan di Aceh ;
 Dan banyak hal-hal lain yang amat merugikan Aceh dalam RUU PA yang dibuat oleh Pemerintah dan DPR RI.
Sementara itu, Pansus RUU Pemerintahan Aceh dipastikan tidak punya itikad baik untuk melakukan sosialisasi dan konsultasi publik RUU PA sebelum disahkan dalam sidang paripurna DPR-RI, sehingga rakyat Aceh mendapatkan informasi yang lengkap sebelum mengambil sikap terhadap RUU PA yang akan disahkan tersebut. Selain itu, konsultasi publik ini dapat menjadi media untuk mendorong penyempurnaan RUU PA yang kan disahkan nantinya;
Selain itu, tanpa ada pertemuan multistakeholder (multipihak) di Aceh untuk mengevaluasi substansi RUU PA yang sesuai MoU Helsinki dan aspirasi rakyat Aceh , pimpinan DPRD Aceh (termasuk Tim Advokasi) dan beberapa anggota DPR-RI asal Aceh telah melakukan klaim sepihak bahwa RUU PA yang sudah dibahas di tingkat pansus telah mengakomodasi aspirasi rakyat Aceh dan tidak bertentangan dengan MoU Helsinki. Ini jelas adalah pembohongan publik dan dapat diindikasikan adanya
konspirasi politik.
Maka sehubungan dengan hal tersebut di atas , jika DPR-RI dan Pemerintah RI tetap memaksakan pengesahan RUU PA yang tidak sesuai dengan MoU Helsinki serta tidak bisa lebih baik dari UU 18/ 2001 tentang Otonomi Khusus Aceh, UU 32/ 2004 tentang Pemerintahan Daerah dan UU 26/ 2000 tentang Pengadilan HAM, maka kami elemen masyarakat sipil Aceh yang tergabung dalam Panitia Bersama Mogok Massal Damai untuk Penyempurnaan RUU Pemerintahan Aceh, dengan penuh pertimbangan kami nyatakan
secara terbuka :
a. Menyerukan kepada seluruh rakyat Aceh untuk melakukan mogok massal damai selama ฝ (setengah) hari pada hari Selasa, 11 Juli 2006, sejak pukul 06.00 hingga 12.00 WIB sebagai upaya menyadarkan DPR RI, Pemerintah segera menyempurnakan RUU Pemerintahan Aceh hingga tidak bertentangan dengan MoU Helsinki demi tegaknya perdamaian, keadilan dan good governance di Aceh, bahkan akan menguntungkan Indonesia secara umum. Mogok massal ini agar dilaksanakan secara damai dan tanpa paksaan dengan harapan dapat diikuti oleh seluruh rakyat Aceh, kecuali yang berprofesi sebagai
petugas medis, pemadam kebakaran, jurnalis, teknisi dan operator telekomunikasi, teknisi dan operator PLN serta aparat kepolisian.Keikutsertaan rakyat Aceh dalam mogok massal damai ini menjadi sumbangan berharga bagi upaya penyempurnaan RUU PA dan bagi perdamaian abadi di Aceh.
b. Jika DPR RI tetap tidak melakukan penyempurnaan RUU Pemerintahan Aceh hingga sesuai dengan MoU Helsinki serta lebih maju (progressif) dari UU 18/2001 tentang Otonomi Khusus Aceh maupun UU 32/2004 tentang Pemerintahan Daerah dan UU 26/2000 tentang Pengadilan HAM.dalam Sidang Paripurna DPR RI mendatang, maka dengan sangat menyesal kami menolak RUU Pemerintahan Aceh tersebut dan mendukung upaya membawanya ke meja perundingan RI & GAM yang dimediasi oleh Crisis Management Inisiative (CMI).
Demikianlah pernyataan sikap kami dalam rangka memastikan perdamaian abadi di Aceh dengan cara-cara damai dan demokratis, dengan harapan mendapat dukungan dari semua pihak,

Sentral Informasi dan Koordinasi : 0858-8098-0540 (Taufik Abda), 0852-17385335 (Dawan Gayo),0813-60396466 (Zirhan)
PANITIA BERSAMA MOGOK MASSAL DAMAI UNTUK PENYEMPURNAAN RUU PEMERINTAHAN ACEH
Didukung oleh antara lain : SIRA, GeRAK, Keluarga Mahasiswa Aceh (KMA), Aliansi Pemuda Aceh (APA), C่SAR, ARC, LINKPEACE, Jempa Mirah, Lampuan, Farmidia, Forum Kutaradja, SPURA, Kagempar

Profile of Aguswandi - Aceh Activists

2006-05-22T04:16:00.000-07:00

Aguswandi - Personal profile

Born on August 17th 1977 at the village of Sibreh, in the District of Aceh Besar, Aceh, Sumatra, Indonesia, Aguswandi is the second of 6 children of a farmer. Despite the rather unusual name for an Acehnese, both his parents are Acehnese (the name is in fact derived from the date of his birth that coincides with the Indonesian Independence Day).

Socially active since he was in secondary school, at 17 Aguswandi was elected president of the inter-secondary schools organization. He entered the tertiary education in 1995 by registering in the Law Faculty of the Syiah Kuala University of Banda Aceh, where he soon got involved in organizational activities. In 1998 he was elected Secretary General of the University Senate. In the same year he was also elected Coordinator of SMUR, one of the most active student organizations in Aceh struggling for democracy and human rights. Through this organization Aguswandi has been involved in many popular upheavals against the atrocities of the Indonesianmilitary. In fact, he had been very active even before the fall of the Suharto regime, fighting against the authoritarian, materialistic and oppressive government of the so-called ?New Order? government of the fallen General. He was one of the students who went on hunger strike to highlight the demand for the withdrawal of the ?Military Operation Zone? classification of Aceh, which was practically a martial law status that had resulted in thousands of innocent people being massacred by the Indonesian armed forces.

In 1998 he spearheaded with SMUR the campaign to boycott the Indonesian general elections, which the students felt as being incompatible with the condition in Aceh that was virtually under military rule. SMUR has also organized demonstrations against the military atrocities and was also one of the organizers of the very successful mass demonstration held on 11/8/99 that saw nearly half of the Acehnese population converging in a very disciplined, peaceful and orderly manner, to the capital of the province to show their unity in demanding a referendum to decide whether the province should remain as part of the Indonesian Republic or to be independent. Some 1.5 to 2 million people gathered on that historic day in Kutaraja (Banda Aceh) to proclaim the restoration of their dignity as a people. This organization has been very active also in the mass education of the Achenese people on their rights, and has established operational posts in villages to help the people traumatized by the Indonesian soldiers. SMUR was the first to establish ?command posts? in refugee camps that since six months ago have reached hundreds with the number of refugees reaching 200.000.

Aguswandi has been the object of several terror and intimidation measures by the Indonesian army. In fact, on May 18 1999 the military authorities issued an official statement declaring Aguswandi an enemy of the State, for which he responded in the front page banner of the SMUR?s bulletin, ?Lantak?: ?I am proud to be an enemy of the State, if helping the people is considered being an enemy of the State?. Following which, several death threats were sent to him and some military officers have even said it openly in public. A week before he left for the US last November the office of SMUR was firebombed.

Since Februari 2000 Aguswandi has been coordinating the Aceh office of the nation-wide Commission for Disapperances and Victims of Violence of Aceh (KontraS Aceh). KontraS Aceh is a non-governmental organization that works to campaigns to stop the state violence in Aceh. With hundreds of volunteers throughout Aceh, this organization conducts regular monitoring and documentation of human rights violations, as well as and advocacy for victims of human rights abuses in the province. In October 2000, KontraS Aceh worked together with various other civil groups in organizing Congress of Victims of Human Rights Violations in Aceh, which was attended by thousands of victims representing the different districts in Aceh. KontraS Aceh?s progress in documenting facts and figures of violence committed by the Indonesian military and police forces (TNI/POLRI) in Aceh has incited increasing threats to Aguswandi and KontraS Aceh volunteers throughout the province.

Although a humanitarian pause signed by the Free Aceh Movement and the Government of the Republic of Indonesia has been in effect since June 2000, it has failed to halt the on-going bloodshed in Aceh. In fact, the number of deaths and human rights violations has risen dramatically since June. Human Rights Watch has estimated that close to 10 people disappear in Aceh each week, with many eventually turning up murdered and many more undergoing unlawful detention, intimidation, sexual violence, and torture.The Indonesian armed forces have also been systematically targeting human rights activists, students and NGOs who speak out against the on-going violence in their homeland.

The deteriorating condition in Aceh requires thus increased international campaigns for the strengthening of the non-violent civil forces that are struggling for human rights there. This is very important in view of finding a peaceful solution to the conflict in Aceh. It is imperative that the international community be made more aware of the true situation in Aceh. It this in this context that KontraS has sent Aguswandi out into the world, to establish relations with the various international organizations that are concerned with the democratization process and the restoration of human rights world-wide.

Aguswandi has gained some experience in international relations, having been invited to speak in seminars on Aceh in Washington DC organized by the International Forum for Aceh (IFA) of New York, and at the Asia Conference on Aceh in July 1999 in Bangkok jointly organized by the Asian Forum for Development and Human Rights (Forum-Asia) and IFA. He was also the representative of the Acehnese community in the United States to meet with President Abdurrahman Wahid (Gus Dur) during the Indonesian leader?s visit to the US last November 1999.

While in the US, Aguswandi also spoke to university students and faculty at Fordham Law school and New School University in New York and helped build an international student network of support for Aceh. In December 1999 Aguswandi visited governmental and non-governmental parties in England, Holland and Germany as part of his campaign to bring international attention to the conflict in Aceh.

In late 2000, Aguswandi represented Aceh at the International Conference on Conflict Resolution, Peace Building, Sustainable Development and Indigenous People, held in Metro Manila, Philippines, December 6-8 2000. At the conference, Aguswandi gave a stirring presentation on the crisis in Aceh and drafted a resolution for peace in Aceh, which was unanimously supported by the 110 participants from all corners of the world, and is to be released in the conference declaration.

He also went to Geneva in March 2001 as Aceh NGO Representative for UN Human Rights Commission Annual Meeting. In Geneva, he make an intervention on human rights condition in Aceh. He also did some lobbyist work to many governments representation from several countries. In March 3, 2001 Aguswandi was finished his studies in constitutional Law of Syiah Kuala University, Banda Aceh. He is also keen on philosophy, international relations and poetry. At the moment he is doing MA International Relations course at London Metropolitan University.

About Aceh

2006-05-19T07:04:00.000-07:00

What the new law on Aceh requires?
Opinion and Editorial - April 24, 2006 (the Jakarta Post)
Aguswandi, Banda Aceh
Aceh is currently still in a transition to peace. The province does not yet have a sustainable peace, and the new legislation being prepared for Aceh's political future, which is still being debated by lawmakers, will determine whether this transition will ensure a genuinely sustainable peace or mark the beginning of another conflict.

For the many Indonesians sensitive about foreign engagement in the Aceh conflict, peace is now in their hands. After all, the real peace process did not take place in Helsinki with the signing of the memorandum of understanding, but in Jakarta. The Helsinki agreement opened the door for peace. Now, it is up to Jakarta and the Indonesian people at large to decide how peace will prevail -- by approving or rejecting the draft law submitted by Aceh.
The March 31 deadline set in the Helsinki peace deal for the enactment of the law has already passed. There has been no public outcry to question or protest this. This is because the deadline itself is not that crucial and its passing could in fact have been expected. The problem is neither the delay nor the approval of the draft law itself, but whether it accommodates the aspirations of the majority of the Acehnese.
Indeed, the draft from Aceh reflects the aspirations of the majority. It is not just about the two parties -- the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) and the government of Indonesia -- anymore. After the two signed the MOU, the whole spectrum of communities and groups followed it up by transforming the peace deal into a draft law. The process may not have been ideal in terms of public engagement to produce and accommodate every possible aspiration, but it is the closest to the ideal of one voice and one aspiration by the Acehnese.
Through parliamentary drafts and various discussions that have taken place between key Acehnese figures, we can distinguish between the must-have points and the good-to-have points. These points must be considered by anybody interested in seeing what is essential and what is peripheral. This distinction will be at the heart of successfully addressing those core aspirations and ideas that have been at the heart of the province's conflict for many years.
Among the essential points is a demand for a greater authority for Aceh to run its own political and economic affairs. Acehnese must be allowed to run their local government without interference from Jakarta.
This is why Article 7, point 3, in the government-sponsored draft was deemed the most controversial point in this regard. This article states that in addition to certain government powers (in defense, foreign affairs, etc.), there are other government affairs which, by statutory regulations, are stipulated as the authority of the (central) government.
There is little clarity about what is meant by "other government affairs". The central government must make it clear that it is relinquishing authority in all matters except defense, foreign policy and monetary affairs (except as allowed in the MOU).
Politically, other must-have points should include further access to political participation by allowing the establishment of local political parties. Here, local political parties must follow the spirit of the MOU. This does not mean, as some have suggested, that it is necessary to have branch offices in other parts of Indonesia. Local means local. This is why independent candidates, including ex-GAM members, must be able to contest the elections so that local political issues can genuinely find a platform.
Of equal importance to politics are the provisions for economic autonomy. Aceh must be able to build up direct trade relationships with foreign groups/countries. This will allow the Acehnese to benefit from their strategic territorial position.
Aceh must have a full control over its natural resources, and ministers and bureaucrats in Jakarta must not hold the power to give away Aceh's resources, be they mineral, forestry or fishery. These powers, which include control over ports and airports, must be handed to Aceh.
What is being demanded in the draft law is in fact just a better version of the devolution of power that was supposed to be provided by the law on special autonomy. While the special autonomy law only gives limited power to Aceh, the draft law should provide greater room for Acehnese aspirations. The government has repeatedly told the Acehnese to "ask for anything, except independence" and now the draft law for Aceh asks just that.
For the many that have worked hard to achieve peace in Aceh, it is time to continue striving for the approval of a law that includes all the must-have points. We are almost able to touch the light at the end of tunnel. If we succeed, this could be the first conflict in Asia to be solved peacefully.
The writer is an Acehnese human rights advocate. He can be reached at agus_smur@hotmail.com.

News About Aceh

2006-05-19T06:56:00.000-07:00

EU Pledges Continued Support for Peace Process in Aceh
By Marianne Kearney Jakarta22 April 2006

Javier Solana, left, speaks to the media as Indonesian Foreign Minister Hassan Wirajuda, right, listen during a press conference, April 21, 2006 Javier Solana, the European Union's foreign policy chief, has traveled to Indonesia's tsunami-ravaged province of Aceh to assess the peace deal between Acehnese separatists and the Indonesian government. Solana vowed that the EU would continue to provide peacekeeping assistance.
Javier Solana met in Aceh Saturday with Peter Feith, the head of the Aceh Monitoring Mission, and with leaders of the Free Aceh Movement.
Solana again noted the delay in passage of a new law on the governance of Aceh, which is needed to pave the way for provincial elections.
Feith says he and Solana discussed the delay.
"What we felt was a concern was the time it took to get the law on governing Aceh approved in the national parliament in Jakarta," he said. "But we were informed today, and I got the clear impression, that work is going to be accelerated now, and there is an expectation that the law on governing Aceh can be passed in the early days of May."

Feith says this would allow local elections to be held before the end of July.
He says Solana was impressed with the progress of the peace deal, and will recommend that the EU extend its peacekeeping mission, known as the AMM.
"He would recommend that, if the elections will take place before the end of July, that AMM could be extended," he added.
The new law was a central element of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that sealed the peace. Feith says that, if the national parliament can pass the law, without too many amendments, there is no reason for the peace process to fail.
"As to its content, we also expect that the law will be in conformity with the MOU," he added. "We don't have full certainty, until we have seen the last version of it, and there may still be difficult discussions in parliament ahead of us."
Feith says another area of disagreements concerns, which former combatants will be given amnesty. Granting the former guerillas amnesty, and allowing them to run in local elections was also a key part of the peace agreement signed last August.
"The other point, where we have a concern, is that there is quite a large number of disputed amnesty cases," he noted. "But we have with us now a lawyer from Sweden, and we have committed to solve all these cases by the end of the mission."
The Free Aceh Movement, or GAM, launched a decades-long struggle for independence from Indonesia in 1976, in which at least 10,000 people have died. However, prompted by the unprecedented death and destruction in the province, caused by the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, the rebels agreed to hand in their weapons.
Last week, four exiled GAM leaders returned from Europe. Members of the former guerilla movement are expected to run as candidates in the coming elections.

The Experiences

2006-01-26T01:16:00.000-08:00

What Aceh Offers Tourists

If your goal in life is to be a beach bum, Aceh is well able to supply you the necessary environment to fulfill your dream. Would you prefer white sand or black sand? Pulau Weh (Weh Island) off the very north tip of Sumatra offers perhaps Aceh’s favorite beach spots. Gapang Beach there has white sand and accommodations for under $2 U.S. a night. Ancient trees surrounded the bay until the tsunami hit. And the bay was the playground of manta rays. The island has a 2,600 hectare marine part and a 1,300 hectare recreation area, a semi-active volcano, waterfalls, a cave complex, a fresh water lake, a dozen dive spots, brilliant and diverse coral reefs, a small fishing village, a stretch of rainforest inhabited by tribes of monkeys that occasionally make an appearance in the populated areas, and a variety of accommodations ranging from the previously mentioned $2 beach bungalows to a moderately expensive resort property. At least that’s what the island was like before Christmas…

While Pulau Weh provided Aceh with an attraction divers found hard to resist, there was no need to take the two and a half hour ferry ride all the way to Pulau Weh to find most of those same attractions. Banda Aceh, the provincial capital, has a number of lovely beaches - including Ujong Batee beach, Lampu’uk beach and Lhok Nga beach. All three are located within about 10 miles of the city. Ujong Batee was a black sand beach and offered a rich variety of shells; the other two were white sand. Lhok Nga has been a popular picnic spot for residents of the city.

If the ocean isn’t your thing you could always make the trip inland to Takengon, a little town on the shores of Laut Tawar Lake. The town and lake are about 3,700 feet above sea level. Thermometers there hover at just under 70F degrees most days. You can water ski on the lake or trek in the surrounding mountains. About 200 small coffee plantations in the region grow beans organically and the forests around the lake support a several varieties of exotic wild orchids. There are also a few caves and some geothermal springs near the lake.

Banda Aceh itself had most of the historic trappings of a colonial capital. The Dutch tore down the palace of the last sultan and built a governor’s mansion on the spot in 1880. The 800-year-old Baiturrahman Grand Mosque was burnt once by the Dutch and rebuilt in 1875 to become one of the most well known architectural landmark of Indonesia. The Regional Museum in Banda Aceh included a large clock given to the Sultan of Aceh by Ming Dynasty Chinese Admiral Cheng Ho in 1414 when he stopped there. About 2,000 Dutch soldier and citizens are buried in the Kerkhop (Dutch for “churchyard”) in the city. And a few pre-colonial sites existed, like the burial site of the Muslim cleric Teungku Syiah Kuala (d. 1693) just over a mile from town.

There are, of course, attractions in Aceh outside the immediate area of the provincial capital. The National Park of Gunung Leuser is an example: 950,000 hectares (about 3,000 square miles) of virgin rain forest, it is among the most untamed parts of Indonesia. The park in Aceh’s southeast is now the only place where orangutans, rhinoceroses, elephants and tigers live in the same location. The park contains about 5,000 orangutans, over 100 Sumatran tigers, and perhaps as many as 120 rhinos. Mountains in the park climb to over 11,000 feet. The Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre in the park is open to the public. It is possible (with permits) to trek in the park. Gunung Leuser is home to 387 species of birds. There are also macaques, gibbons, leopards, civets, deer, otters, and much more.

Enjoy in Lhokseumawe

2006-01-24T02:10:00.000-08:00

Dakuta Beach

One of the beach located in Lhokseumawe, North Aceh. it just 26 Km from the city of Lhokseumawe by road. you can use public bus oround the city. the local mini-bus are going only one way turn. and that the best transportastion to reach this beach. choose the heading to Bungkah-Muara Batu.

The beach is look natural. the local people used the beach as the port to park their boat around. some small shop are The to serve the visitor. there beach is the public beach. best to visit on sunday. some couple are spending the day aside the beach.

Sawang River Side

If you are a couple, then this riverside are the best place to spend your evening. a lots of small huts here selling many kind of fruits and juice the river is very clean and rocky around. some local people used to swim inside the river. the fresh roasted fish are serve to visitor. the beach located in Keude Sawang- Sawang. it is 45 Km from the city of Lhoskeumawe by road. you can use local bus or rent the motorbike or car from the Lhokseumawe.

Seumirah Waterfall

One of tourist destination in Lhokseumawe and this is the place. Seumirah Waterfall, located in Seumirah and about 13 Km from the main city of Seumirah- Nisam. to see the waterfall you need to climb down to the down hill. the place is covered by hills and wild forest. some food and water are sell here. after you climb up from the main waterfall have some drink and wacth the elephant playing football just close to the parking area. about 20 elephants are exercise every holiday and some horses are serve to ride.

Jomblang Beach

This beach is just apart of Lhokseumawe, it Just 20 minute from the main city of Lhokseumawe, many huts are serve to public here. many good restaurant here with internatinal menu. the best is to have boiled shells and very cheap. some house are rented to visitor.

Places to Click a Camera

1. King Muhammad Tomb ==> Located in Nibong, Syamtalira Bayu

2. King Syuhada Cot Plieng Tomb ===> Located in Beunot, Syamtalira Bayu

3. King Malikussaleh and Family Tomb ==> Beuringen, Samudra Pasee

4. Queen Al-A'La Binti Malikul Dhahir Tomb ==> Meuje Tujuh, Matangkuli

5. Cut Mutia House (National Hero) ==>Pirak, Matangkuli

Sabang Zero Island

2006-01-24T00:25:00.000-08:00

SABANG (WEH ISLAND)

History

The Sabang city located in Weh Island, and is apart of Naggroe Aceh Darussalam. Weh Island it famous call by Point of Zero Kilometer of Republic of Indonesia. marked with one historical monument to mark the start of Indonesian country border.
The Weh Island has many sub-island like, Rubiah Island, Klah, Seulako and Rondo Island. the total population in Sabang is 28.703 people. with many kind of etnics, tribes, religions and native like Indian and Chines.

How to reach there
There is only one way to reach Sabang and that way is to cross the sea with ferry or from Krueng Raya Port or from Ulee Lee Port in Banda Aceh. the trip only take 2 hour from Banda Aceh to reach Balohan Port in Sabang. From there you can used local bus or taxi to head the main city of Sabang. and to reach the tourist destination of Rubiah Island or Iboih Island you need more raid about 45 minute from the main city.

Facilities
The City was completed with many facilities inside, transportations, hotels, restourants, hospital, electronic communication, police office, petrol pump, mosque, church, bank, money changer and many local market.

I boih Island

In the Iboih Island you can find local hotel easily, about 50 local hotel are there and not every local hotel has a restourant. but to find the food is very easy in the island. there is 6 good restaurant there but the price is always high from the outside. some restourant are serve the european food and even the small restourant serve the international food taste.

Gapang Island

About 30 local hotel are there and with many facilities inside the hotel some with Tv, Air-Condition, bathroom. the price of the hotel are expensive and but is not hard to find the cheap hotel. about 4 restourant are there with serve only local food but really testy.

Lheung Beach Angen

This beach has 10 local hotel and only one restourant, but the menu are serve all kind of food and international dishes.

Lhokseumawe Map

2006-01-23T23:31:00.000-08:00

Map of North Aceh

Lhokseumawe

Know ur position

2006-01-22T20:32:00.000-08:00

Distance between the Districts

Banda aceh – Sigli 122 Km
Sigli – Beureunun 12 Km
Bereunun – Bireuen 94 Km
Bireuen – Lhokseumawe 57 Km
Lhokseumawe – Langsa 166 Km
Langsa – border of North Sumatra 52 Km
Banda aceh – Krueng raya 33 Km
Banda aceh – Meulaboh 244 Km
Bereunun – Geulumpang 86 Km
Meulaboh – Tutu 61 Km
Biruen – Takengon 101 Km
Meulaboh – Kualatuha 18 Km
Kualatuha - Simpang Peut 9 Km
Blangkejeren – Kutacane 104 Km
Simpang peut – Tapaktuan 178 Km
Kutacane – border of north Sumatra 32 Km
Tapaktuan – Border of north Sumatra 170 Km
Langsa – Kuala Langsa 8 Km
Takengon – Blangkejere 156 Km
Kualatuha – Lamie 46 Km
Lambaro – Blang Bintang 7 Km
Jeuram – batas atas 62 Km
Round of Weh Island 37 Km
Simpang peut – Jeuram 13 Km
Geulumpang – Tutut 32 Km
Penanggalan – Singkil 88 Km
Peureulak – Llokop 65 Km
Blang bintang – Krueng raya 23 Km
Seulimun – Keumala 45 Km
Lokop – Blangkejeren 100 Km
Blangkejere – Blang pidie 55 Km
Rundeng – Subussalam 17 Km
Simpang krueng raya – Darussalam 3 Km
Simpang pangwa – Udu babah jaroe 8 Km
Simpang tutu – Lutung 4 Km
Banda aceh – Ulhele 6 Km
Simpang rima – Ulhele 9 Km
Banda aceh – Blang bintang 13 Km
Geudong – Malikussaleh 4 Km
Samalanga – Simpang samalanga 2 Km
Cunda – Lhokseumawe 3 Km
Round of sea Tawar 46 Km
Cot gapu – P.raya 19 Km
Sinabang – Lasikin 12 Km

Move around

2006-01-22T20:25:00.000-08:00

Place to See

Local wildlifes
1. Aceh rafflesia 1/II
Location : Simpang Jernih – Aceh Timur (East Aceh )
Wild Life : Rafflesia Padma Acehensis

2. Kluet
Location : Aceh Selatan (South Aceh)
Wild Life : Elephant , Orang utan, and many else.

3. Location Leuser Mountain (National Park)
Aceh Tenggara (Southeast Aceh )
Wild Life : orang utan, elephant, sumatra rhino, lion, tiger, rare goat, deer, and kind of bird and fascinated wild jungle.

Place to Relax

@ Sabang Beach Resort (Port View)

Nice and beutiful white sand of the beach, with the far view of the capital of Banda Aceh. wind blowing all over nightfall and feel the melody of sunset. if you like to learn how to surf this beach can help u to so. located in sabang about half a hour travelling by boat from Banda Aceh port.

@ Laut Tawar Lake (Aceh Tengah)

Blue water lake and full of kind of fishes, good view of the hill covered the lake and wonderfull attitude of people around. located in Takengon, Aceh Tengah. this lake was one of the protected place by local goverment to be a tourist place. many local tourist visited here on sunday and have deep sleep aside the lake. the view of the Louser mountain can make you try to track around

@ Ujung Blang Beach (lhoskeumawe)

Mostly people in Lhokseumawe spend the weekend in this beach, a beutiful sunset and slow blowing wind can make you feel better, all drink and food are serve with good price when you feel tired of roaming around. a motor jet and speed boat are serve to a visitor with valueable price. this beach has a close view of the LNG Arun gas production, one of the biggest factory in Aceh.

@ Many more came....

Experiences

2006-01-22T20:21:00.000-08:00

Aceh travel - Pulau Weh Island

Contrary to all the reports you may here there are no special requirements for entry into Indonesia at the moment. Any reports you here of requirements of a "blue book" are no longer applicable. I just spent a month on the island of Pulau Weh and will be returning for one more month.

A one month visa can be had on arrival in Sumatra(usually need $25 in U.S currency), or a two month visa can be arranged beforehand at any Indonesian embassy.Foreigners are currently allowed to travel to Aceh. Most people recommend flying from Medan to Banda Aceh (around $35-$55 depending on time of day you fly) Flight is one hour, bus often takes 10-13 hours. I have taken both the bus and flown. The bus I took from B.A. to Medan ended up taking 14 hours and I arrived in Medan at 3 in the morning. The bus is around $7, takes a long time, and takes you through several military checkpoints, and rebel territory.

I personally feel it is not that unsafe at the moment, but you never know. (there are armed guards because of rebels on several routes in Laos as well, but it rarely keeps people from taking them)
Don't expect to stay for too long in Banda Aceh. Most hotels are booked solid for months in advance. If you come to Pulau Weh island you will pass all the devastation as you board the ferry to come to the island. Really no reason to spend a night in Banda Aceh, as you may have to go to great lengths to find a room to stay and it will be expensive. Pulau Weh island is stunningly beautiful. There is still an operating diveshop on the island and the diving is wonderful. Snorkeling is fabulous as well. Often you can see manta rays, dolphins, turtles in one area. A fresh 6 pound tuna or grouperr can be bought for $2, and you can arrange to have it barbecued for next to nothing and it will feed 5-8 people. very cheap and deelicious. No western food on the island save a banana pancake and egg sandwhich. The island was not completely devastated. About three hundred homes were destroyed.

At the moment there are very few tourists on the island. They have in the past had a fairly good amount of tourism. On the weekends employees from various NGOS take R.R on the island, but usually there are no more than 15-20 there at a time.
The tourist area of the island is about an hours drive from the ferry terminal. Previously the cost of the mini-bus to this area of the island was around $2. Now with very few tourists and big NGO money the guys are trying to charge $10-$20, but they usually have to make a special trip just to take one tourist. Pay no more than $10. If you need a ride from the terminal you can arrange a motorbike taxi ride from a guy at the following number. His name is Seid and speaks English well. Give him a call and he can pick you up by motorbike for around $5. 081360342306 If he is busy ask him if he can send someone else and you'll pay 50,000 rupiah. You WILL NOT get a ride from the terminal for less than $8-$10 by mini bus.

So getting there is a B**** but once you do it is a wonderful place to relax. Many of the locals speak English, are very fun to hang around with, and they desperately desperately need tourists to come back. Ko Phi Phi is not struggling for tourists. there are plenty there. This place is truly struggling for people to come.

Accomodation is cheap. $1-$4 for a very often very nice large bungalows. Once you are here there is nothing to spend your money on so in the long run it's actually quite cheap. Stay around for a while and you may have a chance to go fishing in the sea with the locals. A lot of fun. Alocohol is illegal on the island, but can still be found quite easily. No problem for a foreigner to drink. There is an atm on the island and itnernet access in the city. I recomend Eric's place as a nice place to stay.......In the area called Iboih beach. And trust me.......You'll like the guy.
---- From Lonely Planet Forum-----

What to see in Banda Aceh

2006-01-22T20:13:00.000-08:00

Lhoknga and Lampuuk Beach

The Lhoknga Beach and Lampuuk Beach situated in the western sea of Aceh, about 17 Km from the city of Banda Aceh and it took 20 minute to reach there by motorcycle. this beach it really beutiful what you can do here like swimming, bathing the sun on the white sand of the beach, fishing, sailing or diving or else.what most people did here are waiting for the fascinated and beutiful sunset in the evening.In the Lampuuk Beach you can enjoy the view of the beach while you playing golf in the Seulawah Golf Field, and just close to the Lhoknga Beach you can wacth the panorama of the beutiful park just aside the beach.

Museum of Negeri Banda Aceh

The city of Banda Aceh have only one Goverment Museums, situated in the protected area, the main building of the museum it look like Aceh traditional house, established 1914 for the stall of Semarang Expo and then in 1915 the Gavernor Van Swart (Netherlands) brought it back to Aceh.The main room of the museum has 3 floor, loaded with the various old collection and arranged with good condition. one of the collection of this museum are Big Bell, named as Cakra Donya. this bell one of the gift from the Empire of China and brought to Aceh by Capten Ceng Ho in 1414. the carridor of the museum decorated with the traditional handmade craft of Aceh.In this place, u can even find the tomb of the Sultanets of Aceh, the tomb was made from hard rock taken from mountain and dacoreted with the Arabian Caligraphy. one of the tomb is The Tomb of Sultanete Iskandar Muda.

Krueng Raya Port

This Port it just 35 Km from the city of Banda Aceh, the port name is Malayahati Port. what you can find close to this port are, The Ford of Indra Patra, Laksamana Malahayati Tomb, Bathing natural hot water and if like to swimm just spend your day in the Beach of Ujung Batee.

Masjid Baiturrahman (Mosque)

The people of Banda Aceh are fall in love with this mosque, they love this mosque more than anything, inside the mosque you can see the beutiful artistic of the pilar and decorated wall with the arabian script. the mosque was established in 1875. in front of the mosque you will find the pool full of various fishes, many are golden fishes as the symbol of curing each other.