Government Assures Aceh Is Conducive, Red and White Flag Flying

Deputy Home Affairs Minister Bima Arya has confirmed that conditions in Aceh are conducive following the raising of the ‘Bulan Bintang’ flag. The government has assured that the Red and White flag is flying across Tanah Rencong.

“Yes, we are monitoring everything. So far I have been in communication with the Deputy Governor, with colleagues from the DPRA, and also with the mayor. The situation is calm,” Bima said at the Presidential Palace complex in Jakarta on Monday (17/8/2026).

The Home Affairs Ministry, Bima said, continues to coordinate with all regional governments in Aceh. Conditions in Aceh are gradually becoming conducive.

“The current situation, based on the latest information, is calm and improving. We must maintain this together because this is the atmosphere of the 17th August celebrations. Of course we prioritise togetherness while continuing to monitor every development, coordinating and communicating intensively with the Forkopimda and all regional heads there,” he said.

Echoing Bima, Chief of Presidential Staff Dudung Abdurachman said the raising of the ‘Bulan Bintang’ flag was carried out by only a handful of residents. They, Dudung said, took advantage of the situation surrounding the 81st anniversary of Indonesian independence.

“In my opinion, it was just a few individuals. The people of Aceh are loyal to the Republic of Indonesia. They exploited the situation. Indeed, 15 August is Peace Day, but there were certain parties who took advantage of it. It was only a handful,” Dudung said.

“The situation is already conducive. It did not last long before the Red and White flag was flying again,” he added.