Aceh Security Update: Army Chief Confirms Situation Safe Without Additional Troops
Army Chief of Staff (KSAD) General TNI Maruli Simanjuntak has confirmed that the security situation in Aceh remains safe and under control following an incident during the Aceh Peace Day commemoration. He assessed that there is no urgency to deploy additional troops in the region known as the Veranda of Mecca.
“There is no problem; they are just young people. It is not too serious,” Maruli said in Jakarta on Monday (17/8).
He explained that security operations continue to run by involving existing elements and prioritising law enforcement according to their respective authorities.
He also said he had checked the situation in Aceh until the morning. Based on that monitoring, the regional military commander was deemed not to require additional personnel to deal with the situation in Aceh.
“The regional military commander does not need it. We continue to support the police’s duties to secure the region,” Maruli said.
Maruli reiterated that there are no plans to add troops despite concerns about potential further unrest. “No, there is no addition.”
In line with the Army Chief, Coordinating Minister for Legal Affairs, Human Rights, Immigration, and Corrections Yusril Ihza Mahendra urged all elements of society to continue maintaining a conducive atmosphere and nurturing the bonds of unity within the framework of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia.
“Hopefully the situation in Aceh is already conducive, and all parties maintain calm, tranquillity, and peace. And we respect all elements of Acehnese society who equally love the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia,” Yusril said at the Merdeka Palace in Jakarta on Monday (17/8).
Yusril stressed that the government respects all groups in Acehnese society who have a love for Indonesia. According to him, various shortcomings that still exist in society need to be resolved together so that conditions in the region continue to improve.
“And of course, we will work together to overcome various shortcomings that exist in society, which is our shared task to improve the situation,” he said.