GEORGE TOWN: The group which spearheaded the decades-old war in the Indonesian province of Aceh has jumped to the defence of Penang Deputy Chief Minister II P Ramasamy, amid allegations that he has links to terrorist groups.
Gerakan Aceh Merdeka (GAM) said it had received much help from Ramasamy during peace talks in Finland with Jakarta, which ultimately led to peace in Aceh.
GAM, or Free Aceh Movement, was seeking independence for the Aceh region of Sumatra from Indonesia between 1976 and 2005.
Ramasamy was part of a Finnish team that led peace talks between GAM and the Indonesian government. A peace treaty was signed by both parties in 2005, ending years of violence.
Ramasamy issued a statement today with the letter from GAM spokesman Bakhtiar Abdullah, who was part of the GAM peace panel with the Prai assemblyman at the talks in Helsinki.
In the letter, Bakhtiar said GAM was shocked that certain quarters had accused Ramasamy of being involved with terror groups and illegal activities.
“I must express that GAM had received a lot of help with the involvement of Ramasamy in the peace talks in Helsinki. His presence in several rounds of negotiations was very important in expediting the peace process, and giving positive advice to GAM.
“It would not be wrong for me to say that, without his presence in Helsinki, peace in Aceh would have been difficult to attain.
“To GAM, Ramasamy is someone who has done a lot for Aceh, and we will always remember his involvement in wiping out the violence in Aceh,” Bakhtiar added.
Bakhtiar also wished Ramasamy well in his duties as the deputy chief minister of Penang, a state which has good relations with Aceh.
Ramasamy has been targeted by several Muslim activists, including Perlis Mufti Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin, in the wake of the controversy over the government’s handling of Dr Zakir Naik, the Indian Muslim preacher wanted by New Delhi over allegations of terrorism.
Ramasamy recently denied any links with the Tamil Tigers after a picture of him taking part in a meeting involving the LTTE Constitutional Affairs Committee appeared on social media.
He said the committee was set up by the Sri Lankan government in the aftermath of a peace agreement reached between Colombo and the Tamil Tigers, adding that he had also been invited to join peace committees in strife-torn Aceh.
Police have received 52 reports against Ramasamy. The DAP leader believes this is due to his criticism of the controversial Muslim preacher.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Mujahid Yusof Rawa had yesterday said he would hold a meeting between Ramasamy and Asri, and that both had agreed to the meeting in Putrajaya.