The Jakarta Post, 2/19/2002 3:58:33 PM
Military cautious over Laskar Jihad's arrival in Aceh
JAKARTA (JP): Chief of the Iskandar Muda Military Command, which oversees
Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam province, Brig. Gen. M. Djali Yusuf, said on Tuesday that
the military will act with caution in light of the arrival of Laskar Jihad Muslim members
in the province.
"I do not want the improving security situation in Aceh to be disturbed. We, the
Indonesian Military (TNI), will face those who want to create violence," Yusuf said, as
quoted by Antara.
He asked the Laskar Jihad members to explain their arrival in the province of 4.3
million people.
The military chief said that Islamic law was being enforced in Aceh.
"The law is being prepared by the provincial administration and the provincial
legislative body," he said.
Speaking after a sermon at the Baiturrahman Grand Mosque on Monday, Laskar
Jihad chief Jafar Umar Thalib said that the group's arrival in Aceh was merely a routine
visit.
"Our presence in Aceh is only routine, as we have set up a provincial chapter here.
We are here for social activities and to promote Islam, like we do in other places," he
said.
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