THE REPORTER | A total of 500 former GAM combatants in Batee Iliek have declared their support for the gubernatorial and deputy gubernatorial candidate pair, Bustami Hamzah (Om Bus) – Fadhil Rahmi, in the Aceh Pilkada contest on November 27.
The meeting of former GAM combatants in the Batee Iliek Region took place lively in the hall of the Matang Raya Hotel, Peusangan, Bireuen, Friday (18/10/2024).
A number of legendary former GAM guerrillas were also present, such as former Libyan Mahdi (Bungong Jambe) Jeunib, and Jamal alias Cèng, as well as Teungku Belawan who is the younger cousin of GAM Commander Teungku Abdullah Syafii.
Also present was Ismuhar alias Mancong, a police deserter who stole nine long-barreled firearms from the Central Aceh Police in 1999.
At the event, the Head of the Om Bus-Syech Fadhil Volunteers of Bireuen Regency, Teungku Saifuddin alias Keuchik Pon, appointed Mancong as a speaker representing former GAM combatants in the Batee Iliek Region.
In his speech in front of his colleagues, Mancong, who is the former Commander of GAM Region II, Batee Iliek Region, said that after 20 years of peace in Aceh, there were still many GAM fighters living in uncertain conditions. And the hope of a more prosperous life was still far from expectations.
“If you look back, precisely after the end of the conflict, the politics that occurred were peugah Panggang Manok, rupajih sie iték. Promises of 1000 promises, there were actually many traders; unemployed in the alleys,” said Mancong, which was greeted with applause from his fellow fighters.
Mancong said that Bustami Hamzah and Fadhil Rahmi are new hopes for the people of Aceh. Both are a combination of bureaucrats and Islamic activists who are very suitable to be Aceh’s leaders for the 2025-2030 period.
Mancong said that many former GAM combatants love Bustami. He hopes that Bustami will do the same, returning that love with real action.
“Pay attention to us. Because we have been disappointed for too long. I support Mr. Bus not because of money, but because I dream of Aceh being led by a leader who understands governance well, understands the law, and has good knowledge of governance,” said Mancong.[AR]
editor: Deddy Ridwan
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