Economic Empowerment Fund for Aceh Conflict Victims and Ex-GAM Rp. 15 Billion Allegedly Manipulated

There are allegations that the funds will be used for the purposes of the 2024 elections. The budget comes from the principal funds of DPRA members.

DOK MURTALA UNTUK KOMPAS

The families of the victims of the Simpang KKA tragedy in North Aceh Regency, Aceh, conducted a peaceful rally and joint prayer on Wednesday (3/5/2023) to commemorate the 24th anniversary of human rights violations at the location. Since 2006 until 2024, the Aceh Provincial Government has carried out several programs to strengthen the economic conditions of conflict victims.

BANDA ACEH, KOMPAS — Grant funds for the procurement of fish seeds and feed for conflict victims and ex-combatants in East Aceh Regency, Aceh, amounting to IDR 15.7 billion are currently in the public spotlight. The realization of the program is considered not to be in accordance with planning so it needs to be investigated by law enforcement officials.

The Coordinator of the Aceh Transparency Society (Mata) said that the grant program was under the Aceh Reintegration Agency (BRA) for the 2023 fiscal year. However, the results of Mata's investigation showed that there were indications that it could lead to a criminal act corruption because the recipient group is manipulated. The recipient group was formed only to facilitate budget disbursement.

"Village officials are completely unaware of the existence of the group's name and the aid budget," said Alfian, Wednesday (8/5/2024).

Also read: Urgent, Restoration and Fulfillment of the Rights of Aceh Conflict Victims

Fish cultivation assistance is intended for nine community groups affected by conflict in East Aceh. Each group is given a grant of Rp 1.75 billion. However, upon investigation, none of the affected groups received the assistance.

"There is a suspicion that the funds were used for the interests of the 2024 elections. The budget comes from the main funds allocated by members of the Aceh House of Representatives (DPRA)," said Alfian.

The Aceh Reintegration Agency is an institution established by the Aceh Governor in 2006 with the task of managing reintegration issues to strengthen peace in Aceh. One of the agency's routine programs is the empowerment of conflict victims, ex-combatants, and former political prisoners.

"It is suspected that the aid was fictitious and the potential budget became a tool of politicization for the interests of the February 2024 elections," said Alfian.

Therefore, he urges law enforcement officials to investigate the issue. The use of regional budget must be transparent so that the public can oversee it.

Also read: Hope for Prosperity During Aceh's 15th Year of Peace

On the other hand, he urged the Governor of Aceh to evaluate the performance of BRA to ensure that all programs are on target. "There is a need for people who have integrity and morals to manage BRA so that future performance upholds a sense of justice for conflict victims," said Alfian.

Meanwhile, the Executive Secretary of the BRA of East Aceh Regency, Yusuf, stated that they are not aware of the distribution of Rp 15.7 billion assistance to conflict victims and former combatants in East Aceh.

KOMPAS/ZULKARNAINI

Former combatants of the Free Aceh Movement and conflict victims symbolically received land certificates during the celebration of 17 years of peace in Aceh on Monday (August 15, 2022).

Yusuf said that BRA Aceh did not coordinate with local administrators in the district. "When the assistance will be given, who the recipients are and how much the budget is, were not informed," said Yusuf.

The Head of the Legal Information Section of the Aceh High Prosecution Office, Ali Rasab Lubis, said that they are currently investigating the issue of aid for conflict victims worth IDR 15.7 billion. Currently, the prosecution is collecting documents and information related to the program. No witnesses have been called yet.

Also read: When Generation Z Talks about Peace in Aceh