About 50 people gathered for a candlelight vigil last night outside the Indonesian embassy in Kuala Lumpur to declare their concern over Indonesian military action in Aceh.

Despite the windy night, candles were passed around and lit along the pavement lining the Indonesian embassy in Jalan Tun Razak. Placards with the message 'Stop the Violence, Solidarity for Aceh' were also on display.

Also handed out was a declaration calling for both sides of the conflict - the Indonesian military (TNI) and the Gerakan Aceh Merdeka (GAM) - to cease fire, return to the negotiation table, and settle the conflict through peaceful means.

Organised by citizens' coalition Solidarity for Aceh, a non-partisan group of human rights organisation Suaram, the generally sombre note at the gathering was momentarily broken when the organisers were told by the police and special branch officers that the gathering was illegal.

Lennon's 'Imagine'

One organiser who had his particulars taken was informed by the police that this was necessary for police reporting and administrative purposes.

However, the event was incident-free as the officers allowed the gathering to sing one last song, Imagine by John Lennon, before dispersing. The gathering lasted 30 minutes.

"Our aim is not to support any particular political agenda, but to press that certain measures be taken to ensure the survival, welfare and dignity of the Acehnese people, regardless of political affiliation, race, or creed," said Solidarity for Aceh coordinator K Shan.

"We see the situation in Aceh as a test of regional commitment to humanity, democracy and human development."

Appeal for action

The group also appealed to the Malaysian government to intervene by pressuring both sides to enter into a peaceful solution, and to human rights and relief agencies to provide humanitarian support to the troubled province.

"Recognising that Malaysia is a member of Asean and chair of the Non-Aligned Movement, we urge the government to broker a peace plan and to facilitate a long-term solution to the conflict in Aceh.

"We also urge that Malaysian civil society organisations especially Aman Malaysia, Mercy Malaysia, and the Malaysian Red Crescent to provide humanitarian and medical relief to the people of Aceh," said Shan.

According to news reports, the Indonesian military estimates that a total of 71 people have been killed since martial law was declared by Indonesian President Megawati Sukarnoputri on May 19.

Magawati's declaration was made following the failure of negotiations in Tokyo between GAM and the Indonesian government, brokered by Geneva-based Henry Dunant Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue.

Yesterday's vigil is the second visible effort by Malaysian groups in urging the Indonesian government to reconsider its role in Aceh.

The first, a May 23 memorandum signed by NGOs and political parties intended for Jakarta, was not accepted by the Indonesian embassy.