Inp.polri.go.id - Jakarta.   President Prabowo Subianto has ruled that four previously disputed islands between Aceh and North Sumatra provinces will be officially recognized as part of Aceh’s administrative territory.

“Based on government documents, the President has decided that the islands of Panjang, Lipan, Mangkir Besar, and Mangkir Kecil belong to the administrative region of Aceh,” said Presidential Spokesperson and State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi on Tuesday (17/6/2025), as quoted by antaranews.com.

The decision was made during a virtual cabinet meeting led by President Prabowo while en route to St. Petersburg, Russia. It was attended by high-level officials including Minister of Home Affairs Tito Karnavian, Governor of Aceh Muzakkir Manaf and Governor of North Sumatra Bobby Nasution, and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives (DPR) Sufmi Dasco Ahmad.

The dispute had sparked tensions after the Home Ministry initially designated the islands under North Sumatra’s jurisdiction, a move contested by Aceh. The President’s ruling is expected to ease tensions and foster unity between the neighboring provinces.

(mg/inp/pr/rs)