Prabowo Seeks National Stability in Aceh Islands Dispute Resolution, Minister Says

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Budi Gunawan, the Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs, said his ministry will implement the government's decision on the territorial dispute between Aceh and North Sumatra. The four islands—Mangkir Besar, Mangkir Kecil, Lipan, and Panjang—have been decided to be part of Aceh's territory.

According to Budi, the Prabowo-led government upholds the legal certainty of these four islands while maintaining social and political stability, particularly in Aceh and North Sumatra.

"This is also a form of respect for historical records, cultural aspects, and social dynamics of the Acehnese people," said the former Head of the State Intelligence Agency in a written statement on Tuesday, June 17, 2025.

He also said territorial disputes within the country will be resolved through dialogues, objectively and peacefully, to maintain the integrity of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia (NKRI).

Budi assured that the welfare of the entire population was accounted for in the decision. "President Prabowo places national stability and justice as the top priority, including in the issue of territorial borders, as the main foundation in every strategic decision-making process of the government," said Budi.

The territorial boundary dispute between Aceh and North Sumatra emerged earlier this month after the central government's codification of the area provoked rejection from several parties in Aceh.

President Prabowo Subianto decided that four islands disputed between Aceh and North Sumatra (Sumut) would fall within Aceh's administrative region. This determination was based on administrative documents held by the government.

"Based on the documents, the government has decided that the 4 islands belong to Aceh," said State Secretary Minister Prasetyo Hadi at the Presidential Office in Jakarta on Tuesday, June 17, 2025.

The Home Affairs Minister, Tito Karnavian, explained the government's reasons for deciding that the 4 disputed islands fall within Aceh's administrative region. Tito said that original documents containing an agreement between the Governor of Aceh and the Governor of North Sumatra in 1992 had been found. This document confirms that the four islands fall within Aceh's region.

Tito stated that the original document was found at the Ministry of Home Affairs Archive Building in Pondok Kelapa, East Jakarta, on Monday, June 17, 2025. "Three buildings were searched and original documents containing an agreement between the two governors were found," he said.

Hendrik Yaputra contributed to the writing of this article.

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