Aceh Outer Islands Community Urges Dock Construction

Banda Aceh - Residents of Pulau Siumat village in Simeulue Timur district, Simeulue Regency, an outer island area of Aceh Province, are calling for the construction of a dock as the primary transportation access. Village Head Kristian said on Friday that the proposed dock would replace a floating dock previously damaged by waves. ‘The previous floating dock was built using village funds and began operation in March 2026. However, it was damaged by waves recently,’ he said. He stated that significant funds are needed to construct or repair the dock. The Pulau Siumat Village Government lacks the budget to fix it, as the required amount is Rp15 million. ‘The dock is the only access point to and from Pulau Siumat. The island is a 2.5-hour motorboat ride from Simeulue Island, the main island of Simeulue Regency,’ Kristian said. Therefore, the Pulau Siumat community is urging the Simeulue Regency Government, Aceh Provincial Government, and central government to assist in building or repairing the dock. Meanwhile, Simeulue Timur Subdistrict Head Ali Afwan said the dock is essential as the entry and exit point for residents in the area. However, its poor condition is causing difficulties. ‘Residents currently struggle to board and disembark from ferries due to the severely damaged dock, particularly when patients need referral to the regency capital’s hospital,’ Ali Afwan said. Simeulue Regency is an outermost island region of Aceh Province. Simeulue Island lies in the Indian Ocean, approximately 180 nautical miles from Sumatra’s western coast. Simeulue Regency was established as a split from West Aceh Regency in 1999. It comprises 10 districts, 138 villages (gampong), and a population of around 96,000 people.