If one day you hear the news that I am martyred, do not feel sad and discouraged. Because I always bermunajat to Allah SWT to mensyahidkan me if the independence of Aceh has been very close. I do not want to get any position if this country (Aceh) is independent ... "
That is the last will of the Commander of the Free Aceh Movement, Abdullah Syafei, who was killed in a gunbattle in the Jimjiem hills, Bandarbaru Subdistrict, Pidie District.
The testament made a month before he died, seemed to Syafei's premonition that his death had indeed come close.
However, long before Tengku Lah - as he was commonly called - was killed, he had written a message that his death would not be mourned, let alone mourned. Therefore, the struggle for independence of Aceh Sumatra is not yet complete and his death is a martyr.
Tengku Lah is a very influential leader of GAM's military wing. Over 20 years he led GAM guerrillas from the Bireun area, known as the GAM base. Tengku Lah is known as a firm and polite person.
He is also known to be very polite and unpretentious. In the eyes of GAM activists, Syafei is a humanist and nonviolent figure. That is why, Syafie repeatedly asserted that armed struggle is nothing more than an attempt to defend itself against the attacks of the Indonesian National Army.
Tengku Lah was never raised in the world of violence. He has also never received combat education in Libya, as Muzakir Manaf earned, a figure promoted by GAM in place of Syafei.
Tengku Lah is just a simple personality who was born in Matanggeulumpang Dua Village, 45 kilometers west of Lhokseumawe, North Aceh.
His last education was only in Madrasah Aliyah Negeri Peusangan. It was only until the third grade. After that, he studied religion in a number of pesantren.
Uniquely, the young Syafei turned out to be more spent in the world of theater with Jeumpa group. He often plays the role of women in every performance. That is why, since young hair Syafei always loose.
Introduction Tengku Lah with the military world occurred in the early 1980s. He joined the GAM group Hasan Tiro.
Even so, Syafei's hospitality and courtesy did not fade. He continues to communicate the people of Aceh, which is very close to him.
This friendly, courteous, and warm attitude was shown when Syafei so intimately met with a number of community components and journalists. The Cabinet Secretary in the era of President Abdurrahman Wahid, Bondan Gunawan, and artist Cut Keke are two of the characters Syafei once met.
In fact, when the TNI claimed to have shot him to death, March 2000, Syafei casually even invited SCTV reporter Jufri Alkatiri and Yahdi Jamhur for an interview in the middle of Pasee Forest.
On that occasion, Tengku Lah also invited Kompas journalist Maruli Tobing to see the last condition of Syafei which at that time was in healthy condition walafiat.
Every movement Shafi'i indeed deserve "eaten" the press. He is considered an important figure for resolving the protracted and bloody Aceh conflict.
However, before Serambi Mecah was safe and Aceh's independence was still a dream for some GAM members, Tengku Lah was killed. He died so dramatically; along with Fatimah, his six-month-old wife, in confidence to be martyred (ULF / Tim Liputan 6 SCTV)
Respected Companion Respected Opponent
Early morning almost when a group of people walking along with four keranda in the night. In the front position, a man carrying petromaks as a street light. A hundred yards away, a number of men still dig a 3 x 2 meter grave.
"Please grab a bucket, all water should be thrown away," said a man asking to drain the water that emanated in the hole that had just been excavated.
"The land on the other end, dug up a bit more," another man replied.
On the eve of the dawn, January 25, 2002, sobs and salutations echoed in Cubo Village, Bandar Baru Subdistrict, Pidie Jaya. One of the keranda that was carried was the Commander of the Free Aceh Movement (AGAM) Teungku Abdullah Syafie.
There is also his wife Cut Fatimah and two bodyguards loyal Teungku Daud Hasyim and Teungku Muhammad Ishak. They were killed by gunfire between GAM and TNI three days earlier, in Sarah Panyang Jiemjiem Village, about four kilometers from Blang Sukon.
Without bathing, the four bodies were then buried in one burrow. The funeral is simple. There are no GAM symbols such as flags or gunfire as is usually the burial of a military commander. There are no other GAM leaders there.
Local people recalled Abdullah Syafie as a friendly and unpretentious figure. That is why, three villagers located 35 kilometers south of the city of Sigli was fainted, unable to hold back the emotion.
"I have never found a p