Jakarta \u2013 Security and peace dynamics in Aceh and Papua ahead of the 81st anniversary of Indonesia\u2019s Independence Day have once again drawn public attention. In Aceh, unrest occurred during the 21st Aceh Peace Day (HDA) commemoration at Baiturrahman Grand Mosque in Banda Aceh on August 15, 2026, which was marked by the raising of the crescent-and-star flag. Meanwhile, in Central Papua, dozens of government offices in Puncak Regency were burned and damaged by crowds on August 11, 2026, reportedly linked to public dissatisfaction over the distribution of village funds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Researcher at the Center for Security and Peace Studies (PSKP) at Gadjah Mada University (UGM), Dr. Arifah Rahmawati, M.A., said the dynamics in Aceh and Papua cannot be separated from the continuing tensions between the government and local communities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to her, the two regions face different contexts, with Aceh being a post-conflict region, while conflict and violence continue to occur in Papua. One manifestation of these tensions, she said, is communication that remains burdened by prejudice and distrust.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt must be acknowledged that tensions still exist, both in Aceh as a post-conflict region and in Papua, where conflict and violence continue. By tension, I mean communication that is still filled with prejudice and distrust, making it difficult for both sides to listen to and understand one another,\u201d she said in an interview on Tuesday (September 1).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The researcher and lecturer in the Master\u2019s Program in Cultural Studies and Media at UGM said the raising of the crescent-and-star flag in Aceh should be understood as a symbolic event that cannot be separated from the situation and the message that the community seeks to convey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She explained that symbols carry particular meanings and therefore must be understood according to the context in which they are used.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe raising of the crescent-and-star flag in Aceh can be understood as a symbolic event involving the use of a flag. In cultural studies, symbols have particular meanings, so we need to examine the situation in which they are used, to whom they are addressed, and what is actually intended to be conveyed,\u201d she explained.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to Arifah, the incident can be viewed as a symbol of the Acehnese people’s struggle, particularly as the Red-and-White flag, the symbol of the Republic of Indonesia, was lowered during a commemoration of peace in Aceh.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She said the action could be interpreted as an expression of anxiety, powerlessness, disappointment, and anger over the circumstances faced by the community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIn my view, the people of Aceh wanted to convey their anxiety, powerlessness, disappointment, and at the same time their anger over the situation they are currently facing,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She also noted that the reduction of armed violence following the peace agreement has not automatically resolved the community’s welfare problems. She described this as an issue of human security<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cArmed violence has indeed become very limited following the peace agreement, but that does not mean the fundamental needs of the people for peace and prosperity have been fulfilled. Physical state security has improved, but human security continues to haunt the community,\u201d she stressed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n One of the main issues, she said, is poverty. She cited Aceh’s poverty rate as reaching more than 12.33 percent in 2025, above the national average of below 9 percent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The situation, she added, has been exacerbated by floods and landslides, which she said contributed to an increase in the number of people living in poverty to more than 713,000 and widened the gap between rural and urban communities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In addition, communities continue to require psychosocial and economic recovery following more than 29 years of conflict and violence, as well as the impact of earthquakes and the tsunami.<\/p>\n\n\n\n She also highlighted the utilization of Aceh’s Special Autonomy (Otsus) funds, which she said had reached hundreds of trillions of rupiah through 2025.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to her, the funds have not been fully utilized to create long-term employment opportunities and remain vulnerable to problems related to bureaucratic governance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This issue, she said, requires attention because the allocation of Special Autonomy funds is scheduled to end in 2027, while Aceh’s development remains dependent on funding from the central government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cMoreover, the allocation of Special Autonomy funds will end in 2027, while regional development in Aceh remains dependent on this flow of funding from the central government,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Meanwhile, in Papua, Arifah said the burning and destruction of government facilities could also be viewed as a symbol through which communities express their aspirations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to her, a similar perspective should be applied to understand the socio-political context behind such actions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe can use the same perspective to look at events in Papua, where the symbols used are the burning and destruction of government facilities,\u201d she explained.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In addressing the situation, she called for a balance between law enforcement and the protection of people’s rights to express their aspirations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n She said incidents in Aceh and Papua should be viewed within the context of people’s political aspirations, rather than solely as violations of the law.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to her, law enforcement must be conducted transparently and must not lead to criminalization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n She also advocated a more humanitarian approach to law enforcement through soft power<\/em>, including negotiation and facilitation. To support this approach, law enforcement officers assigned to conflict-affected areas should receive regular training, she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For the long term, she said the governments of Aceh and Papua need to establish safe spaces for communities to express their aspirations and criticism.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Local governments should also take a proactive role in bridging community aspirations with the central government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThis must be done as a form of recognition of the constitutional rights of citizens to express their political aspirations. A proactive stance by local governments is essential to facilitate the channeling of community voices to the central government,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n At the national level, the government should also reopen avenues for peaceful dialogue and prioritize a humanitarian approach.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In addition, the government needs to fulfill political commitments and implement special regulations, including evaluating the management of Special Autonomy funds and development policies in both regions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cTo rebuild public trust in the central government, peaceful dialogue needs to be reopened while recognizing the dignity and rights of people in the regions, emphasizing a humanitarian approach rather than threats and preconditions,\u201d Arifah concluded.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Jakarta \u2013 Security and peace dynamics in Aceh and Papua ahead of the 81st anniversary of Indonesia\u2019s Independence Day have once again drawn public attention. 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