Aceh Governor Mualem Hopes Polemic 4 Pulau Ends, Nothing Is Harmed

Aceh Governor Muzakir Manaf gave a press statement regarding the four dispute islands on the border between Aceh and North Sumatra, at the President's office, Jakarta, Tuesday (17/6/2025). (ANTARA/Andi Firdaus)

JAKARTA - Aceh Governor Muzakir Manaf (Mualem) hopes that the polemic about the four islands will end and no one will be harmed by either Aceh or North Sumatra, as he has decided that the islands are included in the Aceh administrative area.

"So hopefully this will be clear, there will be no more problems, based on the decision of the President and the Minister of Home Affairs that the island has been returned to Aceh. So hopefully no one will be harmed by Aceh and North Sumatra," said Muzakir at the president's office, Jakarta, Tuesday, June 17.

Presiden Prabowo Subianto memutuskan untuk status Pulau Panjang, Pulau Lipan, Pulau Mangkir Gadang, dan Pulau Mangkir Ketek masuk dalam wilayah administrasi Provinsi Aceh.

Based on reports from the Ministry of Home Affairs, as well as supporting data documents owned by the government, the President decided that the four islands administratively entered the administrative area of Aceh.

Muzakir emphasized the importance of maintaining good relations between Aceh and North Sumatra Provinces. He hopes that there will be no more problems in the future and the situation remains safe and peaceful between the two provinces.

Mualem also expressed his gratitude to President Prabowo, Minister of Home Affairs Tito Karnavian, Minister of State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi, Governor of North Sumatra Bobby Nasution, Deputy Chairman of the Indonesian House of Representatives Sufmi Dasco, and Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya who have found a way out to resolve the polemic of the four islands.

"Hopefully there will be no more problems, safe, peaceful, harmonious to all of us and also to the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia, we will protect it together," said Mualem.

The polemic of the four islands previously surfaced after the issuance of the Decree of the Minister of Home Affairs (Kepmendagri) Number 300.2.2-2138 of 2025 concerning the Provision and Update of Codes and Data on Government and Island Administration Areas set for April 25, 2025.

In this provision, the Ministry of Home Affairs designated the four islands as part of Central Tapanuli Regency, North Sumatra. In fact, previously it was included in the administrative area of Aceh Singkil Regency.