Inp.polri.go.id - Jakarta.  Former Vice President Jusuf Kalla said on Sunday (15/6/2025) that four disputed islands—Panjang, Lipan, Mangkir Besar, and Mangkir Kecil—rightfully belong to Aceh instead of North Sumatra. 

“Formally and historically, those islands are part of Singkil, Aceh Province,” he said, as quoted by antaranews.com.

The former vice president cited the 2005 Helsinki peace agreement between the Indonesian government and the Free Aceh Movement (GAM), which reaffirmed Aceh’s boundaries based on Law No. 24/1956. The law established Aceh as an autonomous province, separating it from North Sumatra.

“Lipan, Panjang, Mangkir Besar, and Mangkir Kecil have always been part of Aceh, even though they’re geographically close to North Sumatra,” he added.

Former vice president Kalla argued that the recent Home Ministerial Decree declaring the islands part of North Sumatra contradicts national law.

“A decree cannot override a law,” Kalla stressed.

While respecting Minister of Home Affairs Tito Karnavian’s intentions for administrative efficiency, he rejected joint management, saying, “Regions can’t co-manage natural resources.” 

He urged the government to resolve the sensitive issue wisely and lawfully.

(mg/inp/pr/rs)