DPR Asks Government To Complete Dispute On Four Aceh Islands-North Sumatra

JAKARTA - Member of Commission II of the DPR, Muhammad Khozin asked the central government through the Ministry of Home Affairs (Kemendagri) to resolve the dispute over four islands between Aceh and North Sumatra, namely Panjang Island, Lipan Island, Mangkir Ketek/Kecil Island, and Mangkir Gadang/Masar Pulai.

Khozin assessed that the resolution of the island dispute polemic should be based on juridical and sociological aspects. According to him, the central government must find a way out of the problems that befell the two provinces on the island of Sumatra.

"We ask the Ministry of Home Affairs to resolve the dispute over four islands in an elegant manner with a spirit of harmony," said Khozin, Thursday, June 12.

The legislator from the East Java IV electoral district assessed that the problem could be resolved based on juridical and sociological aspects as a guide to solving regional dispute problems.

"This issue started in 2008 on the findings of the National Team for the Imposition of Rupabumi's Name which found the four also entered the North Sumatra region," explained Khozin.

Khozin said the National Team for the Imposition of the Rupabumi Name involved cross-sectoral matters such as the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries of the Indonesian Navy's Oceanography Hydro, and the Geospatial Information Agency (BIG).

Since then, he continued, the issue of the four islands has continued through mechanisms that take place in the government, such as the efforts made by the Nangroe Aceh Provincial Government Darussalam (NAD) to the central government regarding the existence of the four islands.

"Until the issuance of the Decree of the Minister of Home Affairs No. 050-145 of 2022 concerning the Provision and Update of Codes, Data on Government Administration Areas and islands in 2021 which was signed on February 14, 2022," said Khozin.

Khozin also mentioned in the Minister of Home Affairs Revision No. 100.1.1.6117 of 2022 which also stated that the four islands were part of North Sumatra Province.

"Including the latest through the Minister of Home Affairs Decree No. 300.2.2-2138 of 2025 which confirmed the four islands to be part of North Sumatra Province," added Khozin.

According to Khozin, the issue should be resolved through a deliberation and consensus mechanism as a solution by considering various aspects including sociological aspects and management effectiveness factors.

"I heard that there is a tradition of banning fishing on Friday on the four islands. Sanctions are regulated in Acehnese qanun. This reflects socio-culturality in Aceh. This is a sociological and cultural aspect that must also be seen wisely," concluded Khozin.