Founder of Aceh's separatist rebel movement dies

By FAKHRURRADZIE GADE
Associated Press

BANDA ACEH, Indonesia – The founder of Aceh's separatist movement, Teungku Hasan Muhammad di Tiro, died Thursday at a hospital where he was being treated for a failing heart, leukemia, and a lung infection. He was 84.

Di Tiro died from multiple organ failure after 11 days at the Zainoel Abidin hospital in Aceh's provincial capital Banda Aceh, said Andalas, one of his doctors who goes by a single name. The former leader of the now-dissolved Free Aceh Movement passed away just one day after the government restored his Indonesian citizenship, which had been revoked because of his independence struggle in exile.

In Jakarta, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono offered his "deepest condolence" and pray to the family.

"Thank God, he is be buried in Indonesia as an Indonesian citizen," Yudhoyono told a news conference. "This marks the peaceful and dignified end of Aceh conflict."

Aceh, an oil-and-gas-rich province of 4 million people on the northern tip of Sumatra island, experienced almost constant warfare for more than 140 years, with at least 15,000 people killed in the last round of fighting.

Di Tiro left Aceh soon after civil war began in 1976. He returned in 2008, after leading the rebel movement from Sweden for three decades and becoming a Swedish national.

A memorial service was led by Aceh Governor Irwandi Yusuf in Mireue village, about 19 miles (30 kilometers) outside Banda Aceh.

About 1,000 supporters and former rebels prayed over his body, which was wrapped in white sheets. They chanted "Allah Akbar," or "God is great," as many cried.

Yusuf, a former rebel spokesman and military strategist of the group's armed wing, said di Tiro was proud of the peace Aceh now enjoys.

"He once told me that such peaceful condition was the ultimate goal of his struggle," he said.

Yusuf announced a week of mourning in the province, during which the national red-and-white flags will be flown at half-staff.

"He was a great fighter ... We are very proud of him," said former rebel Khairuddin, who like many Indonesians uses only one name.

Efforts to end the civil war gained momentum after a massive earthquake and tsunami struck on Dec. 26, 2004, which left at least 167,000 people dead or missing and a half million others homeless in the province.

As part of a 2005 peace deal, the rebels gave up their long-held demand for independence and handed over all of their weapons, while the government allowed them to participate in local politics.

Di Tiro is the grandson of resistance leader Cik di Tiro, a national hero killed in combat against occupying Dutch troops in 1891. He is survived by a son from his American wife.

Posted in: Associated Press