Prabowo Steps In To Resolve Aceh-North Sumatra Islands Dispute
The islands – Pulau Mangkir Gadang, Pulau Mangkir Ketek, Pulau Lipan, and Pulau Panjang – became the subject of a controversy after the Ministry of Home Affairs issued a decree in April 2025 formalising a 2022 decision to reassign them from Aceh Singkil to Central Tapanuli in North Sumatra.
The move triggered protests from Acehnese communities and civil groups, including the Aceh Students' Association of Greater Jakarta, who called for the decree to be revoked and for the ministry to acknowledge what they claimed was an administrative error.
bootstrap slideshow
Aceh Governor Muzakir Manaf, also known as Mualem, argued that the islands had long belonged to Aceh based on historical and administrative records, and suggested that the dispute might be linked to offshore resource interests.
Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Sufmi Dasco Ahmad, confirmed on Saturday via a statement to local media that President Prabowo had agreed to address the issue personally.
'The president has taken over the matter of the islands' boundary dispute,' said Sufmi, a close confidant of Prabowo, as quoted by national news agency Antara.
He added that a decision is expected next week.
Meanwhile, Home Affairs Minister Tito Karnavian defended the reclassification, emphasising that historical records indicate the dispute over the islands had existed since 1928.
While acknowledging the dissatisfaction among some quarters, he noted that legal avenues such as the Administrative Court (Pengadilan Tata Usaha Negara, or PTUN) remain available.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Barnama
2 hours ago
- Barnama
Dr Akmal, Hilman To Be Charged In Court Soon
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 19 (Bernama) -- Merlimau assemblyman Datuk Dr Muhammad Akmal Salleh and Gombak Setia assemblyman Muhammad Hilman Idham will be charged in court soon, according to the Attorney General's Office (AGC). The AGC in a statement today announced that based on the evidence and statements obtained, the department has decided to file charges under Section 505(b) of the Penal Code (Act 574) against Dr Akmal and Muhammad Hilman Idham. "This department has examined the investigation papers submitted by the Royal Malaysia Police regarding the statements made by Dr Akmal on the Facebook page "Akmal Saleh" and Muhammad Hilman via the TikTok platform "
The Star
2 hours ago
- The Star
Malaysian defence attache leads Asean observer mission to Thai-Cambodian border
BANGKOK: Malaysia's Defence Attaché to Thailand, Brigadier General Samsul Rizal Musa, has led an interim observer team to inspect the Thailand-Cambodia border to monitor the implementation of the ceasefire and ensure the process remains transparent and impartial. The three-day inspection, hosted by the Royal Thai Armed Forces from Monday to Aug 20, covered the Ubon Ratchathani, Si Sa Ket and Surin provinces. It involved 14 representatives from eight Asean member states namely Malaysia, Brunei, Laos, Indonesia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore and Vietnam. Samsul emphasised the team's commitment to maintaining transparency in ensuring both countries uphold the ceasefire agreement to restore peace and stability. He added that the observer team conducted on-site inspections in border areas that have recently been a flashpoint. "The observer team is tasked with observing the implementation of the ceasefire arrangement by both countries, and with gathering and compiling information, data, facts, and inputs to ensure a transparent and fair process without taking sides," he told Bernama when contacted on Tuesday. Meanwhile, the Thai Armed Forces said the field visit began at Sunphasitthiprasong Camp Hospital in Ubon Ratchathani Province, where the observers were briefed on recent incidents. During their visit, the Asean observers conducted on-site inspections at key locations along the border, it said in a statement. The Thai Armed Forces reaffirmed its commitment to resolving disputes through peaceful means, in line with Asean principles and international law, but stressed that it would defend Thailand's sovereignty and safety of its citizens in the event of violations. The interim observer team is part of the ceasefire agreement reached during the Extraordinary Thailand-Cambodia General Border Committee (GBC) meeting held on Aug 7 in Kuala Lumpur. The intervention of Malaysia, as Asean chair, together with the United States and China as observers, played a crucial role in bringing the tense situation under control. – Bernama
Barnama
2 hours ago
- Barnama
Malaysia Rules Out Single Entity To Regulate Rare Earth Industry — Johari
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 19 (Bernama) -- The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability (NRES) has no plans to establish a centralised body to regulate Malaysia's rare earth elements (REE) industry, citing constitutional provisions and objections from state governments. Acting Minister Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani said several states had raised concerns during engagement sessions, viewing the proposal as an attempt to nationalise state-owned mineral resources. 'Petroleum resources outside state waters are managed differently from land matters, which fall under state jurisdiction,' he told the Dewan Rakyat when winding up the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) debate for his ministry today. He cited the Federal Constitution's Ninth Schedule (State List), which gives states authority over mining permits, leases and licences. As such, any move to centralise REE regulation would require in-depth study and close consultation with all state governments to safeguard their rights. Johari also dismissed claims that Malaysia had offered to supply REE, raw or otherwise, exclusively to the United States as leverage in trade tariff talks. 'This was already clarified by the Investment, Trade and Industry Minister (Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz) on Aug 7. The tariff discussions did not involve any commitment to supply REE,' he said. On negotiations with China, Johari said discussions are currently focused on strengthening bilateral cooperation to develop Malaysia's REE industry across the full value chain, including the setting up of processing plants. 'It's still early and China wants to see if our REE can be converted into the downstream products they need. No formal talks are underway regarding any buyback of processed REE,' he said. -- BERNAMA
