"It (the Otsus of Aceh) can be extended," he told journalists in Banda Aceh after attending the Helsinki MoU Agreement Day or Peace Agreement between the Government of Indonesia and the Free Aceh Movement.
If Aceh manages its resources, such as oil and gas, properly, then it can become more independent, Kalla observed.
"But, if the oil and gas exploration has really been carried out, it will be much bigger than that (Otsus)," he added.
Not only the Otsus fund, all the points of the Helsinki MoU, which have been stipulated in Law Number 11 of 2006 concerning the Government of Aceh (UUPA), can also be realized, said Kalla.
According to him, there are several points in the MoU that have not yet been implemented, and one of them is related to the Aceh flag.
"Later, it will be attempted. But it (needs to be) discussed properly, in accordance with the law as well," he said.
The Helsinki MoU peace agreement was reached in 2005. Aceh has received Otsus funds since 2008 and will continue to do so until 2027.
During the 2008–2022 period, Aceh received two percent of the total General Allocation Fund (DAU). However, the allocation has been reduced to one percent for the 2023–2027 period.
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Translator: Asri Mayang Sari
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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