Jusuf Kalla Affirms Four Disputed Islands Formally And Official Historically Owned By Aceh

Former Vice President Of The Republic Of Indonesia, Jusuf Kalla (ANTARA)

JAKARTA - Former Vice President of the Republic of Indonesia, Jusuf Kalla, said that the four islands disputed by Aceh and North Sumatra (North Sumatra), namely Panjang Island, Lipan Island, Mangkir Kecil Island, and Mangkir Besar Island, belonged to Aceh.

"Formally and historically, the four islands entered the Singkil area, Aceh Province," said JK, his nickname, as reported from a statement received in Jakarta, Sunday.

Historically, JK linked the polemic with an agreement between the Indonesian Government's negotiations with the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) in Helsinki in 2005.

In the negotiations, he said, it was agreed that the Aceh border refers to the border included in Law Number 24 of 1956 concerning the Establishment of Autonomous Regions of Aceh Province and Amendments to the Regulations for the Establishment of North Sumatra Province signed by President Soekarno.

The law inaugurated Aceh Province as an autonomous region and separated the region from North Sumatra.

"In its history, Pulau Lipan, Pulau Panjang, Pulau Mangkir Besar, Mangkir Kecil, that it has historically entered Aceh, Aceh Singkil, that it is located near North Sumatra is normal," he said.

Furthermore, the General Chairperson of PMI considered that the Law was of higher position than the Decree of the Minister of Home Affairs (Kepmendagri) Number 300.2.2-2138 of 2025 which stated that the four islands were part of North Sumatra.

"The law is higher than the Ministerial Decree. So it is impossible to cancel it with the Ministerial Decree. The Minister of Education and Culture cannot change the law," said JK.

Nevertheless, JK respects the Minister of Home Affairs (Mendagri) Tito Karnavian who issued the ministerial decree because of efficient and close considerations. However, he reminded you not to forget historical aspects.

Regarding the proposal that the four islands be jointly managed by Aceh and North Sumatra, JK considers that there are no areas that can manage natural resources (SDA) together. Moreover, according to him, currently there are no important factors in the island.

He also hopes that the government can resolve this polemic well.

"This is a sensitive issue so we hope that the government finds a good solution," he said.