Aceh introduces Islamic law

Sharia law has been unofficially practiced in Aceh for several years

JAKARTA, Indonesia -- The governor of Indonesia's troubled Aceh province says the region has implemented Islamic "Sharia" law as of the beginning of the new year.

Speaking during a visit to the Indonesian capital, Jakarta, Governor Abdullah Puteh said the change was part of a special autonomy package extended to the province last year which would usher in a "new era" for Aceh.

The strict Muslim code provides rules on alcohol, dress and personal conduct, but also in theory demands amputation for theft and execution for adultery.

However, Acehnese clerics say Sharia law has been unofficially practiced in the province for some time before it became official policy.

They also say most Acehnese take a "light" interpretation of the rules focusing more on the social norms such as regulations on dress code and the prohibition on alcohol.

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Aceh, which has rich reserves of natural gas, has been embroiled in a decade-long separatist conflict with the Indonesian government that has cost thousands of mostly civilian lives.

Rebel meeting

Speaking to reporters on the implementation of the province's autonomy package Governor Puteh also announced plans for the Indonesian Vice President Hamzah Haz to visit the region soon.

He said Haz would be seeking a meeting with separatist rebels from the Free Aceh Movemement (GAM).

"The vice president has promised to give more attention to Aceh, especially on the province's economic condition and also a possible dialogue with GAM," Puteh said.

The implementation of Islamic law is a subject frequently discussed in Indonesia, the world's most populous Muslim country.

Several hardline Islamic groups have staged often violent protests calling for its introduction.

However, most analysts say the overwhelming majority of Indonesian Muslims practice a more moderate version of Islam and are not in favor of officially sanctioned Sharia law.

"You can see on the surface and below the surface that mainstream Indonesian Muslims are not for Sharia," prominent politician and moderate Muslim leader Amien Rais told the Reuters news agency.