“The President has directly taken over on this issue. And (he) promised that it will be resolved as soon as possible,” he said here.
Nasbi explained that in the Indonesian system, territorial sovereignty is under the full authority of the central government.
Regional governments only have administrative authority over areas within their jurisdiction, including the management of islands within their areas, he said.
“In the concept of our country, the one that has sovereignty over the area is the central government. The regional government has an administrative area,” he added.
Thus, if there are differences of opinion between two regions regarding the management of a region or island, the central government is responsible for resolving them.
Related news: Prabowo to decide island dispute between Aceh, North Sumatra
“The resolution must be carried out in a calm and dialogical manner,” Nasbi said.
He also indicated the possibility of a direct dialogue between Aceh Governor Muzakir Manaf and North Sumatra Governor Muhammad Bobby Nasution, as part of the resolution process.
President Prabowo will take a final decision on the dispute after considering the aspirations of the community, historical aspects, and administrative records, Nasbi informed.
The polemic over the administrative boundaries between Aceh and North Sumatra, which has been on since 1928, resurfaced after differences in management claims emerged over four islands in the border area of the two provinces.
The decree of the Minister of Home Affairs Number 300.2.2-2138 of 2025 includes four islands, Lipan, Panjang, Mangkir Ketek, and Mangkir Gadang, in the administrative area of North Sumatra Province, specifically Central Tapanuli District, which borders Aceh Singkil District.
Both Aceh and North Sumatra have objected to the decree, citing historical and administrative ties to the islands.
Translator: Andi Firdaus, Mentari Dwi G., Yashinta Difa
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
Copyright © ANTARA 2025
