August 16, 2026 | 08:14 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – The Aceh provincial government and the Aceh House of Representatives (DPRA) have agreed to seek a legal ruling from Indonesia’s Home Affairs Ministry on the use of the Moon-and-Star flag, a symbol associated with the former Free Aceh Movement (GAM), following clashes in Banda Aceh.
The decision was reached at a coordination meeting of Aceh’s Regional Leadership Coordination Forum (Forkopimda) on Sunday, a day after security personnel clashed with people who raised the flag during an event marking the 21st anniversary of the Aceh peace agreement in front of Baiturrahman Grand Mosque in Banda Aceh.
“The Aceh government and the Aceh House of Representatives will jointly consult with the Home Affairs Ministry,” Aceh government spokesman Nurlis Effendi said in Banda Aceh on Sunday.
The meeting was attended by Aceh Deputy Governor, DPRA Chairman Zulfadli, the commander of the Iskandar Muda Military Command, the Aceh police chief, the Aceh chief prosecutor and other officials.
Flag Sparks Clash at Peace Anniversary Event
The dispute erupted Saturday when several people raised the Moon-and-Star flag during a gathering commemorating the anniversary of the Helsinki peace agreement, which was signed on August 15, 2005, between the Indonesian government and GAM.
The agreement ended decades of armed conflict between Jakarta and the separatist movement. Under the agreement, Aceh was granted the right to use regional symbols, including its own flag, emblem and anthem.
The flag raised at Saturday’s event is closely associated with GAM, which fought for Aceh’s independence from Indonesia before the 2005 peace deal.
The situation became tense when security personnel moved to stop the flag from being flown, resulting in a clash in the area around Baiturrahman Grand Mosque.
Aceh government spokesman Nurlis said the security situation in the province had since returned to normal, although authorities were continuing to monitor developments.
Aceh Seeks Jakarta’s Legal Ruling
The dispute centers on Aceh Qanun No. 3 of 2013 on the Flag and Emblem of Aceh. The regulation formally establishes the Moon-and-Star design as Aceh’s provincial flag. The qanun was enacted on March 25, 2013.
However, implementation of the regulation has remained contentious between the Aceh government and the central government.
Nurlis said DPRA Chairman Zulfadli told the meeting that Aceh already had a legal basis for its flag under the 2013 qanun. However, differing interpretations over the flag’s use have persisted.
“We need a decision from the central government, in this case the Home Affairs Ministry, on whether the Moon-and-Star flag can be flown or not. If it is allowed, then it is allowed, and if it is not, then it is not,” Nurlis said.
The issue has been under discussion between Aceh and the central government since 2013, after the Home Affairs Ministry reviewed provisions concerning Aceh’s flag and emblem.
Peace Remains a Key Concern
The Forkopimda meeting produced six recommendations aimed at maintaining security and stability following Saturday’s incident.
The recommendations include maintaining peace and security in Aceh, preventing similar incidents, exercising restraint, prioritizing persuasive approaches and strengthening communication with religious scholars, traditional leaders, community leaders and other groups.
Officials also called for calmer public communication and emphasized the Aceh peace agreement as a shared foundation for the province’s development.
“The final recommendation concerns the flag issue. The Aceh government and DPRA will consult with the Home Affairs Minister to obtain legal certainty,” Nurlis said.
The timing of the dispute is particularly sensitive. The latest incident came 21 years after the signing of the Helsinki peace agreement, which transformed Aceh from a conflict zone into a province with broad autonomy within Indonesia. The agreement also provided for the use of regional symbols as part of Aceh’s special status.
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