Yusril Urges All Elements to Maintain Calm and Peace in Aceh

Coordinating Minister for Law, Human Rights, Immigration and Corrections Yusril Ihza Mahendra has urged all parties to maintain calm and peace in Aceh following the unrest during the 21st Aceh Peace Day commemoration.

“Hopefully the situation in Aceh is now conducive and all parties are maintaining calm, order and peace,” Yusril said on the grounds of Merdeka Palace, Central Jakarta, on Monday (17/8).

He also said the government respects all elements of Acehnese society who love the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia.

According to him, the government and the public need to work together to address various remaining issues.

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

The unrest previously occurred in the grounds of Baiturrahman Grand Mosque, Banda Aceh, during a dhikr and joint prayer to commemorate the 21st Aceh Peace Day on Saturday (15/8).

The crowd raised the Star and Crescent flag on the mosque’s main pole even though officers had asked that the flag not be flown.

The situation then heated up until a throwing exchange occurred between the crowd and officers. Police dispersed the crowd using tear gas.

The Aceh Regional Police stated that the situation had returned to being under control and conducive. Joint personnel remain on standby around the location and patrols will be increased in several areas of Aceh.

Amid the situation, the government is also discussing a number of issues related to Aceh. Minister of Law Supratman Andi Agtas said President Prabowo Subianto ordered him to coordinate with the House of Representatives regarding the revision of the Aceh Special Autonomy Law, which will expire in 2027.

Supratman said the government hopes the discussion of the law revision can be completed this year.

Meanwhile, the Aceh Government and the Aceh House of Representatives have agreed to consult with the Ministry of Home Affairs regarding legal certainty on the use of the Star and Crescent flag. The agreement was reached in a coordination meeting of the Aceh Regional Leadership Coordination Forum following the unrest on Saturday (15/8).