Implementing the special powers granted to Aceh under the Helsinki Memorandum of Understanding (Helsinki MoU) and Law Number 11 of 2006 concerning the Government of Aceh (UUPA) remains a challenge, even though peace has prevailed for over two decades.
Zulfikar Idris, Head of the Cooperation and Public Relations Division for the Wali Nanggroe Institution, stated that this issue was highlighted during a dialogue between the Wali Nanggroe Institution’s Team for the Study of Helsinki MoU and Law No. 11/2006 Implementation and the West Aceh Regency Government, held at the West Aceh Regent's Office on Wednesday, July 29, 2026.
The meeting was part of a series of studies aimed at gathering input from regency and city governments to inform the formulation of strategic recommendations for His Excellency the Wali Nanggroe of Aceh.
Kamaruddin Andalah, Head of the Tuha Lapan (Council of Eight Elders) of the Wali Nanggroe Institution—who led the dialogue on behalf of the study team chair, Prof. Dr. Syahrizal Abbas—stated that the team was present to hear firsthand about the local government's experiences, challenges, and expectations regarding the implementation of the Helsinki MoU and Law No. 11/2006.
"The study team is not here to evaluate the local government, but to listen directly to the experiences, challenges, and expectations of the West Aceh Regency Government. All the input we gather will form part of the recommendations to His Excellency the Wali Nanggroe, aimed at strengthening the implementation of the Helsinki MoU and the UUPA (Law No. 11/2006)," said Kamaruddin.
During the dialogue, the West Aceh Regency Government conveyed that the Helsinki MoU had contributed significantly to establishing security stability and driving development in Aceh. However, it was noted that a number of powers constituting Aceh's special status have not yet been fully or optimally implemented. Key areas of authority under discussion included natural resource management, land affairs, marine and airspace spatial planning, and the implementation of specific provisions within Law No. 11/2006 that still require harmonization with national regulations.
Beyond the issue of authority, the forum also addressed the effectiveness of the Aceh Special Autonomy Fund. Participants emphasized the need for continued efforts to strengthen governance, improve disbursement efficiency, and optimize the fund's utilization, ensuring that the community truly benefits and that equitable development is fostered.
Other strategic issues raised included the need to strengthen regional authority over natural resource management, refine licensing mechanisms, resolve land disputes, accelerate the reversion of expired Cultivation Rights Titles (HGU) in accordance with statutory regulations, and protect customary lands (ulayat) and the rights of indigenous communities.
The West Aceh Regency Government also underscored the importance of strengthening synergy among the Central Government, the Aceh Government, and regency administrations to achieve natural resource governance that is effective, sustainable, and capable of generating added value for community welfare.
The Acting Regional Secretary of West Aceh Regency, Dr. Kurdi, commended the Wali Nanggroe Institution’s initiative to open a dialogue with local governments, thereby gathering diverse perspectives on the implementation of the Helsinki MoU and Law No. 11/2006.
"Dialogues like this are crucial for building a shared understanding of the challenges facing the region. We hope the findings from the Wali Nanggroe Institution’s study will serve as a basis for policy refinement, ensuring that the implementation of Aceh’s special status delivers increasingly significant benefits to the community," he stated.
Meanwhile, the Special Staff to the Wali Nanggroe for Diplomacy and Foreign Cooperation, Dr. Mohammad Raviq, affirmed that all input gathered from the various regencies and cities would be incorporated into the comprehensive study conducted by the Implementation Team for the Helsinki MoU and Law No. 11/2006. According to him, the formulated recommendations will be submitted to His Excellency the Wali Nanggroe for presentation to the Aceh Government and the Central Government, with the aim of strengthening the implementation of the Helsinki MoU and Law Number 11/2006.
The dialogue in West Aceh is part of a series of visits by the Wali Nanggroe Institution’s Team for the Review of Helsinki MoU and Law Number 11/2006 Implementation to various regencies and cities across Aceh. All outcomes of the dialogues will be consolidated into strategic recommendations to strengthen the implementation of the Helsinki MoU and optimize the execution of Law Number 11/2006.
The dialogue in West Aceh is part of a series of visits by the Wali Nanggroe Institution’s Team for the Study of Helsinki MoU and Law No. 11/2006 Implementation to various regencies and cities across Aceh. All findings from these dialogues will be compiled into strategic recommendations aimed at strengthening the implementation of the Helsinki MoU and optimizing the execution of Law No. 11/2006.
“Aceh possesses unique experiences, characteristics, and challenges. Therefore, we want to ensure that every recommendation presented to the Wali Nanggroe truly stems from the aspirations of the local government, academics, and the community. We hope these recommendations will strengthen the implementation of the Helsinki MoU and the Law on the Governing of Aceh (UUPA), while making a tangible contribution to the development of an Aceh that is peaceful, just, progressive, and prosperous,” said Mohammad Raviq.
The meeting was attended by the Wali Nanggroe Institution’s Team for the Study of Helsinki MoU and UUPA Implementation, comprising Mohammad Raviq, Kamaruddin Andalah, Ridwan Hadi, Hespynosa, Nurdani, and Ridwansyah.
Representatives from the West Aceh Regency Government included Dr. Kurdi (Acting Regional Secretary), Safrizal (Assistant III), Ruswaidi (Assistant I), Dodi B. S. (Head of the National Unity and Politics Agency), Fitriana (Secretary of the Regional House of Representatives/DPRK), Aharis Mabrur (Head of the Legal Division), and Zona M. Sutra (Public Welfare Division).[]
