Ishak Daud

Ishak Daud
Born	(1960-01-12)12 January 1960 Blang Geulumpang, Idi Rayeuk, East Aceh Regency, Aceh
Died	8 September 2004(2004-09-08) (aged 44) Peureulak, Aceh
Allegiance	Free Aceh Movement
Years of service	Juni 1987 — 8 September 2004
Rank	Panglima Wilayah
Unit	Aceh National Army
Commands	Tgk Abdullah syafi'i
Battles/wars	Insurgency in Aceh  †

Teungku Ishak Daud (12 January 1960 - 8 September 2004) is the Commander of GAM in the Peureulak region. He was once imprisoned by the Indonesian government, but was released again during the reign of president Abdurrahman Wahid on 21 May 2000. Subsequently, he rejoined GAM, and died in an ambush by the TNI, in 2004.

Biography

Ishak was born in Blang Glumpang Kuala Idie Village, Idie Rayeuk District, East Aceh on January 12, 1960. He is the first child of Muhammad Daud bin Tengku Basyah and Nuriah. As a child, Isaac lived in a village where the average life was below the poverty line. His father worked as a fisherman, while his mother sold cakes. Ishak Daud felt that he was never satisfied with this condition.

In early 1984, when he was 24 years old, Ishak decided to migrate to Malaysia. In the neighboring country, Isaac Daud worked odd jobs, as a construction worker or restaurant keeper. Because he couldn't stand living like that in Malaysia, Ishak Daud decided to migrate to Singapore. Moreover, there are many Aceh people in that country. Just like in Malaysia, Ishak Daud also works odd jobs, from construction worker to transport driver. It was also in Singapore that Ishak Daud became aware of the Free Aceh Movement, especially at that time many Free Aceh activists held political meetings. Practically, while working in Singapore Ishak often attended these meetings. This also opened his insight into the history of Aceh.

In June 1987, Ishak was finally sworn in by Tengku Abdullah Musa as a member of GAM. Moreover, Hasan Tiro, who controls GAM from Sweden, needs Acehnese youth to be trained in military education and sent to Libya. Ishak Daud was part of a group of 40 Acehnese youth who were sent to Libya. After returning from Libya, he stopped in Singapore for 12 days.

Ishak Daud decided to return to Aceh via the Port of Tanjung Balai. From there he took a bus and returned to his hometown of Idi Rayeuk. Initially he worked as a fish trader and secretly recruited young people to become involved in GAM. Ishak was one of the first figures to raise the Aceh Merdeka flag at Idi Rayeuk High School, East Aceh on December 4, 1989, after Hasan Tiro raised the flag on Mount Halimun, Pidie on December 4, 1976.

Died

On May 20, 1990, Ishak Daud attacked an ABRI post in Buloh Blang Ara, North Aceh. In the attack, two soldiers and a junior high school student died. Ishak Daud's group also succeeded in taking 22 M-16 weapons and Minimi weapons. For his actions, Ishak Daud was sentenced to 20 years in prison by the Lhokseumawe District Court. The trial was held in Sabang because in several previous trials, Ishak Daud was always hailed by his sympathizers. At that time, Ishak was said to be the Head of the Free Aceh Information Bureau. However, Ishak Daud only served two years, because during the leadership of President Abdurrahman Wahid, on May 21, 2000, Ishak Daud was released. Ishak decided to re-join GAM, his final position being GAM Commander in the Peureulak-Teumieng Region. Ishak died in an ambush by the TNI at the end of 2004.