Ow. That phrase, "progressive shariah," caused my head to spin around 360 degrees.
(AKI) - The new political party of the Indonesian province of Aceh, the Partai Rakyat Aceh (PKA), or popular party of Aceh, has set its ambitions high, vying to become a progressive force bringing economic, social and religious reforms. "We want to become the second main party of the province after GAM," its president Aguswandi told Adnkronos International (AKI). However, contrary to GAM, the PKA is in favour of Sharia law. Muslim-devout Aceh is the only Indonesian province allowed to implement sharia-based by-laws. "We are mostly supported by the rural population and women though the party has been formed by local intellectuals, activists, pro-human rights lawyers and the moderate ulama [Islamic religious leaders]," said Aguswandi, a longtime human rights activist.| "Really mostly a grass-roots thing. We've seen the reports of shadowy bearded foreigners lurking about with dumptrucks full of cash, fully kitted-out mobile armories and complimentary daycare and immersion language classes for all the youngsters under age twelve, but personally, I don't pay attention to silly rumours. My watch? Why yes, yes it is a Rolex Datejust with the GPS package. I picked it up at the souk...er, Hong Kong duty-free a while back. And now I see it's time to be off. No justice, no peace and all that. Toodles!" |
The Free Aceh Movement (GAM) is a former rebel group who fought for independence in the province for almost 30 years. Under the Aceh peace accord signed in Helsinki in August 2005, GAM rebels gave up their demand for independence, while Indonesian army pulled out half of its 50,000 troops and handed over control of 70 percent of the region's rich resources.
The accord also enabled the formation of local political parties - a first in the Indonesian archipelago. Though GAM and the PKA have already been created and a third, the Gabthat Party, is planning to do so, their official registration will be possible only after central authorities approve legislation regulating their creation.
The PKA president said Monday that his new political force cannot be considered either left or right wing and that it wants "an administration really serving the people where the budget for development is higher than that allocated to cover beaurocracy costs." |