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DPR Requests Explanation over GAM Flag and Hymn Concession
Friday, 19 August, 2005 | 23:38 WIB

TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta:The House of Representatives (DPR) has requested an explanation from Indonesian government and Free Aceh Movement (GAM) negotiators over the concession regarding the GAM flag and hymn in Aceh.

“This is important so that there will be no misunderstanding on this matter,” said DPR Speaker Agung Laksono in Jakarta on Thursday (18/08).

This explanation, Laksono said, was required as there was worry over the substance of a form of federalism in this concession.

The Speaker added that this explanation only needed to be carried out through DPR Commissions.

“An explanation through a plenary session will only be required only if that given at the commission level is insufficient,” stated Laksono.

According to him, the contents of the memorandum of understanding did acknowledge the sovereignty of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia though it did not explicitly refer to the 1945 Constitution.

Regarding consideration given by the DPR to the government over amnesty and abolition, Laksono said that the DPR has received a letter of request from the government.

“We must settle this matter by August 31,” he stated.
This is according to the deadline set, that amnesty must be given to GAM members 15 days after the signing in Helsinki, Finland. (Yophiandi-Tempo News Room)