Jakarta, June 18, 2025
Aceh Flag Debate Heats Up
The Wali Nanggroe of Aceh seeks support for regulations on raising the Aceh flag after the return of disputed islands.
- Aceh’s leader hopes for regulations on the Aceh flag.
- Four disputed islands were returned to Aceh by Indonesia.
- The flag issue is tied to the Helsinki Agreement and national laws.
The Indonesian government’s decision to return four islands to Aceh has reignited discussions about the region’s flag. Malik Mahmud Al Haythar, the Wali Nanggroe of Aceh, is hoping for the endorsement of regulations regarding the raising of the Aceh flag.
Malik Mahmud, during a meeting with former President Jusuf Kalla in the Kebayoran Baru area of South Jakarta on Tuesday night, June 17, 2025, shared his hope for the flag’s endorsement. The Acehnese people still strongly desire to raise their flag, which features a crescent moon and star symbol. “So, for Acehnese people, it is hoped that the flag will be endorsed. We are just waiting,” he stated.
The core of the flag controversy is the differing perspectives between the Helsinki Agreement, national laws, and local regulations (Qanun) in Aceh. The Helsinki Agreement includes a clause that guarantees Aceh’s right to use its own symbols, like flags, emblems, and anthems.
However, this clashes with Government Regulation Number 77 of 2007. This regulation prohibits regions from using symbols that resemble those of separatist organizations, like the Free Aceh Movement. A consensus on the legality of the Aceh flag has yet to be reached.
Despite the ongoing flag debate, Malik Mahmud expressed his satisfaction with the return of the four islands to Aceh. “Thank God, the recent polemic over the 4 islands has been resolved. And with this, I would like to express my gratitude to the President, to our leaders who have resolved the issue, including the Minister of Home Affairs as well,” he said.
Previously, President Prabowo Subianto decided that the four islands, which were disputed between Aceh and North Sumatra (Sumut), would fall within Aceh’s administrative region. The decision was made based on government administrative documents.
“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.
Prabowo chaired a limited meeting via video conference from St. Petersburg, Russia, on Tuesday. The meeting included Home Affairs Minister Tito Karnavian, State Secretary Minister/Presidential Spokesperson Prasetyo Hadi, Aceh Governor Muzakir Manaf, North Sumatra Governor Bobby Nasution, and Deputy House Speaker Sufmi Dasco Ahmad.
The Home Affairs Minister explained the government’s reasoning behind the decision to include the four disputed islands in Aceh’s administrative region. Tito stated that original documents were found. These documents contained an agreement between the Governor of Aceh and the Governor of North Sumatra from 1992. This confirmed that the four islands were part of Aceh.
Tito reported 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.
What’s the main point of contention regarding the Aceh flag?
The main disagreement revolves around the Helsinki Agreement, which allows Aceh to use its own symbols, and Government Regulation Number 77 of 2007, which restricts the use of symbols that resemble those of separatist groups.
