Prabowo Takes Over Dispute On 4 Aceh-Sumut Island, Palace: Those With Sovereignty Over Central Government Regions

JAKARTA - Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto immediately made a decision regarding the polemic on administrative boundaries between Aceh and North Sumatra Provinces, especially regarding the management of four islands in the border areas of the two regions.

This was conveyed by the Head of the Presidential Communication Office (PCO), Hasan Nasbi, in a statement at the PCO Office, Jakarta, Monday, responding to the differences in aspirations that arose between the two provinces.

"The president took over this directly and promised that it would be completed as soon as possible," said Hasan Nasbi.

Hasan explained that in the Unitary State system of the Republic of Indonesia (NKRI), regional sovereignty is entirely in the hands of the central government.

"Meanwhile, local governments only have administrative authority over the region which is the scope of their duties, including the management of islands within the region," Hasan added.

"In the concept of our country, the ones who have sovereignty over the region are the central government, the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia. The regional government has an administrative area," he said.

He explained that determining the administrative area of an island is entirely under the authority of the central government. Thus, if there is a difference in views between the two regions regarding the management of an area or island, the central government will take over the settlement process.

"Because this is our language, we are both children of the nation. We are not in dispute with other countries. So the solution must also be in a cold and dialogical way," he said.

Hasan also opened the possibility of a direct dialogue between the Governor of Aceh and the Governor of North Sumatra as part of the settlement process.

He stressed that the final decision would be taken by the President after considering various aspirations of society, historical aspects, and the ongoing administrative records.

The polemic on the administrative boundaries between the provinces of Aceh and North Sumatra, which has been rolling since 1928, has resurfaced after different claims of management of four islands in the border area of the two provinces emerged.

The Decree of the Minister of Home Affairs Number 300.2.2-2138 of 2025 has determined that four islands, namely Lipan Island, Panjang Island, Mangkir Ketek Island, and Mangkir Gadang Island are included in the administrative area of North Sumatra Province, to be precise Central Tapanuli Regency, which is directly adjacent to Aceh Singkil Regency.

This policy has sparked aspiration differences from the two local governments, each of which feels it has historical and administrative ties to the islands.