Yusril Hopes All Parties Keep Aceh Calm and Peaceful on Independence Day

Coordinating Minister for Law, Human Rights, Immigration and Corrections Yusril Ihza Mahendra has expressed hope that all parties will maintain calm and peace in Aceh. Yusril said he wants Aceh to remain tranquil and conducive.

“Hopefully the situation in Aceh is already conducive and all parties are maintaining calm, tranquillity and peace,” Yusril said at the Presidential Palace complex after attending the 81st Independence Day ceremony in Jakarta on Monday (17/8/2026).

Yusril said the government is working to address all shortcomings in Aceh. The government, he said, respects all parties in Aceh.

“And we respect all elements of Acehnese society who equally love the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia. And of course, we will also work together to address the various shortcomings that exist within society, which is our shared task to improve the situation,” he stressed.

Previously, Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs Djamari Chaniago called on all elements of society to safeguard peace in Aceh and maintain conduciveness in Papua while continuing to respect the freedom of the people. Djamari said expressing aspirations is a right, but its exercise must remain within the legal corridor without violence or destruction.

“Peace in Aceh must be safeguarded together. The Red and White Flag and the Garuda Pancasila as state symbols must be respected. In Papua, the people also have the right to express their aspirations peacefully, but this must not be accompanied by violence and legal violations,” he said, as reported by Antara on Sunday (16/8).

Regarding Aceh, Djamari said the government respects Aceh’s special status as stipulated in law.

According to him, the peace in Aceh that has been maintained for more than two decades is an important achievement that must continue to be nurtured through dialogue, brotherhood and respect for the law.

Djamari also stressed that the Red and White Flag and the Garuda Pancasila are state symbols that must be respected as stipulated in Law Number 24 of 2009.

Regarding reports of the removal of the Red and White Flag as well as the removal and alleged vandalism of the Garuda Pancasila state emblem, Djamari asked the authorities to objectively investigate the facts, perpetrators, motives and legal elements.

“If criminal elements are found, the perpetrators must be processed firmly and fairly in accordance with the applicable legal provisions. The same applies to any acts of violence and destruction,” he said.