Through the Implementation of Islamic Sharia, Prosperity Can Be Achieved, and the Desire for Disintegration Can Be Overcome
(Translated)
News:
In early June 2025, disputes occurred between the government of the Aceh region and the government of the North Sumatra region. The dispute was related to the Decree of the Ministry of Interior No. 300.2.2-2138 issued in April 2025, which placed four islands belonging to the Aceh region within the administrative area of North Sumatra. The Ministry of Interior was firm in its decision. The government of the Aceh region continued to demand the return of the four islands to Aceh. The people of Aceh also organized demonstrations demanding the return of their islands. Meanwhile, the government of North Sumatra continued to support the decision of the Ministry of Interior, and the conflict escalated. Finally, President Prabowo intervened. The head of the Joint Forum (Forbes) of the House of Representatives and the Senate in Aceh, T. A. Khalid, stated on June 15, 2025, saying: "All members of the House of Representatives and the Senate in the Republic of Aceh have agreed, and our position is unified. The four islands must be returned without any conditions. Aceh is ready to defend them in self-defense." On June 17, 2025, the President decided to return the four islands to the Aceh regional government. The Minister of State, Prasetiyo Hadi, also stated in a press conference held at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta, on Tuesday, June 17, 2025, saying: "The four islands, which are Panjang Island, Lipan Island, Mangkir Gadang, and Mangkir Kitik, are administratively affiliated with the Aceh region according to government documents."
Comment:
1- The ongoing dispute between the government of the Aceh region and the government of the North Sumatra region cannot be separated from the political and economic influence of the previous regime. Politically, the current governor of North Sumatra is Bobby Nasution, who is the son-in-law of former President Joko Widodo. On the other hand, the current Minister of Interior is Tito Karnavian, who was the Minister of Interior during the era of former President Joko Widodo. Therefore, it is not surprising that the public views the transfer of the four islands belonging to the Aceh region to North Sumatra as an integral part of the political interests of the previous regime. On the other hand, the four islands have enormous economic potential. Muslim Ayub, a member of the House of Representatives for Aceh, stated: "There is a commercial overtone in transferring the administration of the four islands to North Sumatra. The four islands are rich in oil and gas. There is a huge investment plan from the United Arab Emirates in the four islands." Moreover, this route is not only important for local fishermen but also for commercial shipping and strategic maritime movements. Therefore, the efforts to hand over the four islands are full of political and economic interests of the previous regime.
2- On the other hand, disputes between regional governments can ignite regional conflicts or exacerbate the spirit of disintegration. As is well known, Aceh is a region that has a "bitter" history in its relationship with Indonesia. In the past, Aceh was a military operations area. Its Islamic culture is very deeply rooted. In fact, Aceh enjoys autonomy in implementing Islamic Sharia locally. On April 21, 2025, a group of people suspected of being Indonesian nationals wearing traditional clothes took a picture holding a paper that read "Freedom for Maluku, Freedom for Papua, Freedom for Aceh" at the 24th session of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, in the General Assembly Hall of the United Nations in New York. This shows that the idea of separating Aceh from Indonesia has not completely disappeared. If the ownership of four islands belonging to Aceh is actually transferred to North Sumatra, this may increase the disappointment of the people of Aceh towards the government in Jakarta. Therefore, this must be prevented, and it must be realized that these efforts aim to divide this Islamic country, Indonesia.
3- Islam views natural resources, such as oil and gas, as public property. The Prophet ﷺ said: «Muslims are partners in three things: water, pasture, and fire, and their price is haram.» Narrated by Ibn Majah. The state is responsible for managing them for the benefit and welfare of the people. Oil and gas do not belong to a specific region, but rather belong to all people. Therefore, the state must centrally manage them. If the management of natural resources is handed over to each region, injustice will befall those who live in regions that lack them. Therefore, there must be a qualitative shift in the management of natural resources according to Islamic Sharia. However, this can only be done through a ruler who fully implements Islamic Sharia, for through the implementation of Islamic Sharia, prosperity can be achieved, and at the same time, the desire for disintegration can be overcome.
Written for the Media Office of Hizb ut Tahrir
Muhammad Rahmat Kurnia – Indonesia