Inp.polri.go.id - Jakarta.  Minister of Law and Human Rights, Supratman Andi Agtas, clarified Saturday (14/6/2025) that resolving the ongoing territorial dispute over four islands between Aceh and North Sumatra falls under the authority of the Ministry of Home Affairs.

“That issue is within the scope and function of the Home Affairs Ministry,” he said after a paralegal training event on Saturday (14/6/2025), as quoted by antaranews.com.

The dispute concerns Panjang Island, Lipan Island, Mangkir Gadang Island, and Mangkir Ketek Island, whose administrative status was recently designated to North Sumatra. The move has drawn criticism from former Deputy President Jusuf Kalla, who called the ministerial decree “procedurally flawed.”

Minister Supratman emphasized that the Law Ministry has no jurisdiction over the matter but noted that the government is drafting a new bill on Aceh administration. He declined to elaborate on its contents.

The controversy touches on historical legal claims tied to Law No. 24/1956 and the 2005 Helsinki MoU, which underpins Aceh’s special autonomy.

(mg/inp/pr/rs)