ID :
109673
Wed, 03/03/2010 - 23:49
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/109673
The shortlink copeid
ACEH COUNCILLOR DEBUNKS RUMORS OF M`SIAN INVOLVEMENT IN TERROR
Banda Aceh, Indonesia, March 3 (ANTARA) - A top Aceh councillor has dismissed local rumors about Malaysian involvement in the terror network police are currently trying to break up in the province.
The chairman of the Aceh Legislative Assembly (DPR Aceh), Hasbi Abdullah, said it was inconceivable that Malaysia was helping to turn Aceh into a terrorist base "because the neighboring country is strongly committed to helping Aceh improve its economy."
"I think, it is most unlikely that Malaysia, its military in particular, is training terrorists in Aceh," Hasbi told reporters here Wednesday.
He was commenting on and at the same time reiterating a statement by Malaysian Defense Minister Achmad Zahid Hamidi denying the rumors of Malaysian military involvement in the terror network some members of which were recently arrested by Indonesian police.
The rumors began circulating after Indonesian police were reported to have found a number of military uniforms resembling those of Malaysian servicemen at a certain location in Aceh.
The Malaysian defense minister issued the denial following reports about an Indonesian police raid on a terrorist training camp in a forest in the Jalin region of Aceh Besar district on Monday (Feb 22).
Hasbi said Malaysia was strongly committed to helping Aceh's economic development. Citing an example, he said a Malaysian businessman would soon invest in a project to build a fuel oil bunker in Pulau Aceh, Aceh Besar district.
"Therefore, it is not possible that our close neighbor is helping terrorists in Aceh," he said.
About the presence of the terror network in Aceh itself and who they were, Hasbi said "there must be a certain group that wants to disrupt the peace in Aceh."
He ruled out the possibility that they were rogue elements of the former Free Aceh Movement (GAM) which had fought a guerilla war against the government for many years.
It was true there was still a handful of former GAM combatants who after the cessation of hostilities with government had remained discontented, he said. "But we are keeping a close watch over them and the Aceh administration is taking care of their welfare," he added.
He said he was sure terrorism could not flourish in Aceh because Aceh society was against the creed and did not have any roots in the province.
What the police had discovered in Aceh Besar district recently appeared to be still a network in an "embryonic" stage, Hasbi said but he had met the Aceh police chief and urged the latter to investigate the matter thoroughly and nip it in the bud. ***
The chairman of the Aceh Legislative Assembly (DPR Aceh), Hasbi Abdullah, said it was inconceivable that Malaysia was helping to turn Aceh into a terrorist base "because the neighboring country is strongly committed to helping Aceh improve its economy."
"I think, it is most unlikely that Malaysia, its military in particular, is training terrorists in Aceh," Hasbi told reporters here Wednesday.
He was commenting on and at the same time reiterating a statement by Malaysian Defense Minister Achmad Zahid Hamidi denying the rumors of Malaysian military involvement in the terror network some members of which were recently arrested by Indonesian police.
The rumors began circulating after Indonesian police were reported to have found a number of military uniforms resembling those of Malaysian servicemen at a certain location in Aceh.
The Malaysian defense minister issued the denial following reports about an Indonesian police raid on a terrorist training camp in a forest in the Jalin region of Aceh Besar district on Monday (Feb 22).
Hasbi said Malaysia was strongly committed to helping Aceh's economic development. Citing an example, he said a Malaysian businessman would soon invest in a project to build a fuel oil bunker in Pulau Aceh, Aceh Besar district.
"Therefore, it is not possible that our close neighbor is helping terrorists in Aceh," he said.
About the presence of the terror network in Aceh itself and who they were, Hasbi said "there must be a certain group that wants to disrupt the peace in Aceh."
He ruled out the possibility that they were rogue elements of the former Free Aceh Movement (GAM) which had fought a guerilla war against the government for many years.
It was true there was still a handful of former GAM combatants who after the cessation of hostilities with government had remained discontented, he said. "But we are keeping a close watch over them and the Aceh administration is taking care of their welfare," he added.
He said he was sure terrorism could not flourish in Aceh because Aceh society was against the creed and did not have any roots in the province.
What the police had discovered in Aceh Besar district recently appeared to be still a network in an "embryonic" stage, Hasbi said but he had met the Aceh police chief and urged the latter to investigate the matter thoroughly and nip it in the bud. ***
