Illiza: Aceh needs appropriate policies to face regional dynamics
Banda Aceh Mayor Illiza Sa’aduddin Djamal has said that Aceh requires the right approach and policies to deal with the various dynamics of society in the region.
“Regarding administrative and regulatory matters such as the qanun/regional regulation on the Aceh Flag and Emblem, these are no longer the main obstacles to accelerating regional development,” Illiza said in a statement in Blang Bintang, Aceh Besar, on Wednesday.
The statement was made by Illiza in response to the flying of the star and crescent flag during the Aceh peace commemoration, on the sidelines of receiving a visit from the management of Perum LKBN ANTARA on Tuesday (25/8).
According to Illiza, the main focus at present needs to be directed towards certainty in governance management and economic equity. Regarding the Aceh flag and emblem, she said these have been regulated in a qanun.
Aceh has Qanun Number 3 of 2013 concerning the Aceh Flag and Emblem. However, the implementation of this qanun remains part of ongoing discussions between Aceh and the central government.
Illiza considers an approach based on community participation to be key, because the public will feel a sense of ownership and involvement in development.
“This means that when the community is involved, as in Banda Aceh, they immediately participate by donating land for the alignment of village spatial planning and are actively involved in improving the residential landscape,” she said.
She believes that the right approach and policies, along with direct community involvement, can keep regional development on track without causing unrest.
Meanwhile, President Director of Perum LKBN ANTARA Benny Siga Butarbutar said the long history of the Acehnese people’s contribution to the Republic of Indonesia needs to continue to be integrated with the narrative of present-day development.
According to him, the strong self-help movement of the Acehnese community also needs to receive adequate news coverage in the public sphere.
“We are determined to present more positive news from the westernmost province to the centre and to help strengthen ANTARA journalists abroad,” he said.
Benny said ANTARA also continues to ensure that the news it produces has depth, strong local understanding, and takes into account community sensitivities.
In addition, he said, the editorial team is encouraging a greater portion of news coverage about female figures from Aceh.
The active involvement of women in various social, economic, and political sectors needs to continue to be showcased as an inspiration for regional development.