DPRA Forms Advocacy Team For Four Aceh Islands Called North Sumatra

BANDA ACEH - The Aceh People's Representative Council (DPRA) will form an advocacy team to fight for the return of the status of the four islands of Aceh that are claimed to be included in the territory of North Sumatra (Sumut).

Deputy Speaker of the Aceh House of Representatives, Safaruddin, said that the Aceh government had written to the Ministry of Home Affairs (Kemendagri) five times regarding the status of the four islands, but there had been no positive response.

"That's why we, the Aceh DPR will form a team with the Aceh government to advocate to the Ministry of Home Affairs," said Safaruddin as quoted by Antara, Monday, May 23.

There are also four islands that have changed administrative areas based on the Minister of Home Affairs Decree No. 050-145 of 2022 dated February 14, 2022, namely Mangkir Besar Island, Mangkir Kecil Island, Lipan Island, and Panjang Island.

So, he explained, changing the ownership status of the four islands of Aceh to North Sumatra must be a serious concern from all circles, both members of the legislature and the Aceh government.

Therefore, the DPRA invites the Aceh Government and the DPR-DPD RI Joint Forum (Forbes) from Aceh to immediately conduct advocacy to the Ministry of Home Affairs to restore the island's status.

"We have to coordinate with the Ministry of Home Affairs regarding the status of the four islands. What makes the four islands belong to North Sumatra," he said.

According to the Gerindra Party politician, the issuance of the Ministry of Home Affairs indicates that there has been miscommunication between the Aceh Government and the Ministry of Home Affairs in maintaining the status of the four islands in Aceh Singkil.

However, Safaruddin asked all parties not to blame each other, let alone judge. Currently, collaborative work is needed to restore the status of the four islands.

This, he continued, relates to the constitution. The rights of the territory owned by Aceh are in accordance with the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and the Law on Governing Aceh (UUPA), so they must respect each other.

"We are holding on to the boundary according to the Helsinki MoU on number 1.1.4, namely the Aceh border refers to the July 1, 1956 border. Now we are in recess, after this advocacy recess is our first task that we must complete," he said.

In addition, he also asked the Ministry of Home Affairs to facilitate a meeting between the Aceh Government and the North Sumatran Government so that there would be no friction that could disrupt the harmony that had been built so far.

Moreover, Aceh-North Sumatra will host the 2024 PON. So don't let this become the door to new problems, so that good communication between the two provinces is damaged.

"We don't need to debate who's at fault. Now immediately do advocacy. The DPRA with the enthusiasm we have invites the Aceh Government to do advocacy together," he said.