Aceh Seeks Legal Clarity on Use of Disputed Moon-and-Star Flag

Aceh's provincial government and the Aceh House of Representatives (DPRA) are seeking legal clarification from Indonesia’s Home Affairs Ministry regarding the use of the Moon-and-Star flag, a symbol linked to the former Free Aceh Movement (GAM). The decision came after a clash in Banda Aceh, where security personnel confronted individuals who raised the disputed flag during a celebration marking the 21st anniversary of the Aceh peace agreement.

The disagreement arose on Saturday when several people unfurled the Moon-and-Star flag during the commemoration event, which marked the 2005 Helsinki peace agreement between the Indonesian government and GAM. The peace deal had ended years of fighting between Jakarta and the separatist group and granted Aceh autonomy, including the right to use its own flag, emblem, and anthem.

Aceh’s Qanun No. 3 of 2013 legally established the Moon-and-Star design as the province’s flag, enacted on March 25, 2013. However, the implementation of this regulation has remained controversial between Aceh and the central government.

Aceh government spokesman Nurlis Effendi announced that the Home Affairs Ministry would decide whether the Moon-and-Star flag can be flown or not. If allowed, the flag would be permissible; if not, it would be prohibited.

The dispute has been a point of contention since Aceh reached a legal agreement with the central government in 2013, following a review of provisions concerning Aceh’s flag and emblem by the Home Affairs Ministry.

Following the incident, Forkopimda, the Regional Leadership Coordination Forum for Aceh, issued six recommendations to maintain security and stability. These included preserving peace and security in Aceh, avoiding similar incidents, exercising restraint, relying on persuasive communication, and strengthening cooperation with religious scholars, traditional leaders, and community figures.

Officials also encouraged calmer public communication and emphasized Aceh’s peace agreement as a shared foundation for the province’s development. The latest clash occurred 21 years after the signing of the Helsinki peace agreement, a significant milestone in Aceh's history.