August 16, 2026 | 03:54 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesian lawmaker Bambang Soesatyo has called on law enforcement authorities to investigate the display of the bendera bulan bintang, or crescent-and-star flag, at the Baiturrahman Grand Mosque in Banda Aceh on Saturday, August 15.
Bambang, commonly known as Bamsoet, urged authorities to conduct a thorough investigation and take legal action against those responsible.
He also condemned the removal of the Indonesian red-and-white flag during the incident, saying the act could undermine the peace that has been maintained in Aceh for the past 21 years.
Bambang stressed that law enforcement should be carried out professionally and proportionately to prevent the incident from escalating tensions or reigniting conflict.
Authorities, he said, should distinguish between residents peacefully expressing their views and individuals involved in provocation, violence, vandalism or acts that disrespect national symbols.
Calls for a Transparent Investigation
Bambang said an appropriate legal response was needed to uphold state authority while preventing the incident from creating the impression that Aceh’s population as a whole had returned to a state of conflict.
He called for a comprehensive, professional, objective and transparent investigation, warning against generalizing the actions of a small group to the wider Acehnese population.
The former speaker of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) also urged the central and Aceh governments to conduct a comprehensive review to prevent similar incidents and ensure that residents’ concerns are properly addressed.
Bambang further called on religious and traditional leaders, former combatants, community leaders, young people and civil society groups in Aceh not to be drawn into provocation.
He said unresolved issues involving Aceh’s special autonomy, public welfare, natural resources and infrastructure should be addressed through political, legal and dialogue-based channels.
He urged all parties to exercise restraint, maintain public order and help preserve peace in Aceh.
The incident occurred during commemorations of the 21st anniversary of the Aceh Peace Day on Saturday. A group of people displayed the flag of the former Free Aceh Movement (GAM), commonly known as the bendera bulan bintang, in the courtyard of Baiturrahman Grand Mosque in Banda Aceh, triggering unrest.
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