Return of the Native

Since the Helsinki Accord, the once legendary Hasan Tiro has become an ordinary exile. There is no need for Jakarta or GAM to overreact to his Aceh visit.

October 14, 2008

THE visit of Free Aceh Movement (GAM) leader Hasan Muhammad di Tiro to Aceh is not worth fussing over. True, he is regarded by many Acehnese as an important figure in modern Aceh history, given his role in the province’s struggle to achieve independence from Jakarta rule. He believed the central government was the cause of misery in Aceh—draining the economy, killing and torturing civilians. He once said Indonesia was an absurd concept becaus

...

More Articles