Muzakir welcomed the decision, saying it brought clarity to an issue that had caused unnecessary tension.
“This should settle everything. No party is at a loss here, and most importantly, the islands remain under the sovereignty of the Republic of Indonesia,” he said.
Bobby echoed the sentiment, urging residents of both provinces to avoid divisive rhetoric.
“Aceh is our neighbour. Let’s not be swayed by provocations or misinformation. What matters most is unity,” said Bobby, who is also the son-in-law of former President Joko Widodo.
According to news outlet Jakarta Globe, a survey conducted in 2022 found the islands to be uninhabited. But they contain cultural and religious markers such as graves and monuments erected by the Aceh government.
Panjang is the largest of the four islands with an area of 45.81 hectares, the size of about 45 football fields.
Mangkir Ketek has an area of 6.36 hectares while Mangkir Gadang’s area is 7.48 hectares, news outlet Tempo reported. Lipan island is mostly submerged due to rising sea levels.
They are 1.2km to 2.4km from mainland Sumatra, Tempo reported.
The dispute over the islands has attracted heightened attention in recent years, partly due to their strategic and economic potential.
They are near the Offshore West Aceh oil and gas block currently operated by Conrad Asia Energy, which has estimated gas reserves of 296 billion cubic feet, reported Jakarta Globe.
They are also near the Offshore North West Aceh block, which is believed to hold vast energy resources.
Muzakir said the islands are also believed to hold valuable reserves of natural gas.
“That’s the real reason for the renewed interest in these islands,” he said.
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/indonesia-aceh-north-sumatra-four-contested-islands-5189261
