April 2009 legistative Election provide bigger opportunity for women to participate in politics. However, only a handful succeeds in becoming Member of the Parliament.

After receiving the blessing from President Habibie, starting today, the Indonesian Military (Angkatan Bersenjata Republik Indonesia/ABRI) revokes the Military Operation Zone (Daerah Operasi Militar/DOM) status from Aceh and will immediately withdraw its non-organic troops in September this year. Aceh is declared as a relatively safe zone

Rumor has it that Aceh charges its struggle for independence once again. Nobody knows who starts this rumor. Any political decision made based on this rumor would be fatal.

Boats float around Banda Aceh's fishery port of Lampulo. Under the scorching sun, fishy smell lingers in the air. People pass by each other on the street. Nearby, under a tree, a man sits cross-legged on top of a 3-meter fish net he is fixing. He is wearing a white shirt and black pants. He wears his wristwatch on his left hand. Every now and then he smiles and hums. His name is Sofyan Effendi Hasanuddin. He spends 20 years working as a fisherman.

IN the post conflict post disaster Aceh, people are now dealing with Islamic Shariah. Some argue that the Shariah is an integral part to Aceh's local philosophy of life and local culture which circle around this almost 15-century-old religion. Some challenge the notion.

Aceh Party or PA wins in the militia basis of Central Aceh and Bener Meriah. Tension arises as the Election approaches. Some of the former Free Aceh Movements guerillas and militias however are now business partners.

JUNE 25 2009 afternoon, one o'clock. The day is blazing hot. I and a friend from the university walk through the streets of Banda Aceh. All the way, we look to presidential election banners in our rights and lefts.

Due to failure to meet Electoral Threshold (ET) in the 2009 Election, five Aceh local political parties will face elimination.

Before the Election, a number of local parties including PA, were intimidated. A number of witnesses however testified that PA was behind the intimidation.