Banda Aceh – A number of residents from the Aceh People's Alliance have opposed and challenged the establishment of Territorial Development Battalions in five areas and have asked the Indonesian Army (TNI AD) to return the management of the Blang Padang land donated for religious use (wakaf) to the Baiturrahman Grand Mosque.
They believe that the construction of the new battalions in Nagan Raya, Pidie, Gayo Lues, Central Aceh and East Aceh regencies violates the provisions of the 2005 Helsinki Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). One of the points in the MoU is that the number of organic TNI personnel in Aceh is limited to only 14,700 troops.
"According to the data we have at the moment, there are almost 18,000 TNI personnel in Aceh. If we add another battalion, there will be even more TNI personnel. This is certainly a violation of the Helsinki MoU", said action coordinator Yulinda on Monday July 7.
According to Yulinda, so far the situation in Aceh has been safe following 19 years of peace between the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) and Indonesia. Therefore, there is no urgency to add new battalions to the region.
"What's the urgency behind adding battalions in Aceh? Is Aceh currently experiencing unrest? This is strange these additions are baseless", said Yulinda.
The demonstrators are also concerned that the addition of new battalions could create the potential for the TNI to take control of people's land, including mining areas and important assets in Aceh province.
"If these battalion aren't blocked, we're worried that the TNI will take control of the land, including the mines they're going to manage. That's what we fear, the Acehnese people won't have any prosperity at all", they said.
Apart from rejecting the addition of new battalions, the protesters also voiced their desire for the Blang Padang land, which is currently still managed by the Indonesian Army through the Iskandar Muda Regional Military Command (Kodam), to be returned to the Baiturrahman Grand Mosque as the waqf nazir (institution mandated to manage the wakaf).
Earlier, Iskandar Muda Kodam Chief of Staff (Kasdam IM) Brigadier General Ayi Supriatna said that the establishment of the battalions was part of the central government's policy on national defence.
The battalions will consists of nine companies, including five rifle companies, one health company, one agriculture company, one construction company and one livestock company.
According to Supriatna, the formation of these battalions aims to strengthen the role of the TNI in supporting development in various sectors, especially in the Iskandar Muda Kodam area.
"With the existence of these battalions, it is hoped that the soldiers will not only be combat-ready but also have skills in agriculture, livestock and infrastructure development that will benefit the community", Supriatna in a statement. (fra/dra/fra)
[Translated by James Balowski. The original title of the article was "Warga Aceh Tolak Batalyon Teritorial Baru di 5 Daerah".]
