The Post-Peace Political Dynamics in Aceh Province The Role and Existence of Local Parties on Banda Aceh’s Regional Head Election in 2017, of Indonesia

Abstract

The main problem of this study is First, how are the political dynamics of local parties on the regional head election in Banda Aceh 2017? Second, what is the role and existence of Partai Aceh as a local political strength in the regional head election in Banda Aceh 2017? The method in this study is a qualitative approach with a sample of Local and National party administrators, Society Figures, Ex-Combatants of GAM, Commissioners of the Aceh Independent Commission (KIP), voters/society, academics, and political figures. The results of the study are First, there is a political transition occurring in Aceh post-peace, political struggle through Local Parties such as Ex-Combatants founded Aceh Party (PA). Since the two elections, Partai Aceh was able to increase the highest number of votes by dominating the parliament and Aceh government. However, on the Aceh Governor election in 2017, the Aceh Party (PA) suffered defeat. It was caused by an internal feud and a split of Partai Aceh (PA) between Muzakir Manaf as General Chair and Zaini Abdullah together with Zakaria Saman as Tuha Peut (Advisory Board). It resulted to the different perspectives on determining and appointing a candidate for Aceh's Governor. By management's decisions and meetings of the central leadership council, Partai Aceh (PA) recommended Muzakir Manaf as a candidate for Aceh's Governor, but Zaini and Zakaria Saman did not agree to this appointment because they also hoped to be elected as Governor. Based on this decision, they left Partai Aceh (PA), followed by all of their sympathizers and supporters. Indeed, there have been different perspectives and political interests of Zaini, Zakaria, and Muzakir Manaf since they became Governor and Deputy Governor of Aceh in 2012-2017, the peak was after the appointment of a candidate for Aceh Governor in 2017. Second, two periods of Ex-Gerakan Aceh Merdeka (GAM) as Aceh Governor Leadership, there were many policies and development programs for Aceh were initiated and implemented, including Islamic Sharia, Health Insurance (JKA) program, handling of conflict victims, Grand Mosque renovation, social assistance program for combatants, establishment of Institut Wali Nanggroe, Flag Qanun, Hymn and Aceh symbol, etc. Meanwhile, it was not implemented proportionally, the poverty and unemployment rate was still high, investment was not working, and economic society was still weak. So there was resistance from Ex-GAM to carry out armed resistance toward the case of Din Minimi, including the conflict victim's disappointment who were not obtaining the development programs. Third, the role of Partai Aceh (PA) and defeat in the 2017 regional election was an internal split which led to a decrease in votes, the votes were taken by Zaini Abdullah, Zakaria Saman, and Irwandi Yusuf. Partai Aceh (PA) also did not carry out internal reforms, so the political recruitment process was only limited to ex-GAM and sympathizers. It resulted in low-quality of human resources. Many political policies and promises could not be implemented cause the voters and sympathizers chose other local and national parties.