Cultural Protections – 2005

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After the MoU was signed, the GAM proposed Teungku Hasan Tiro as Aceh province’s Wali Nanggroe — or as the guardian of the land. Mr. Tiro was in exile.1

This position has a lot of symbolic importance reflecting Acehnese’s cultural and religious heritage. Therefore, in the Law Governing Aceh, the province’s Wali Nanggroe was made in Article 1.17 as the institution to “preserve the instrument of indigenous life of customs and culture.” Article 96 and 97 deal with this institution in details. Similarly, in Article 1.21 the Aceh Qanun or Kanun Aceh (Islamic law) related provision was accepted as part of the culture.

Official Language and Symbol – 2013

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Finally, in 2013, the house of representative of Aceh (DPRA) decided on a flag. The star flag was controversial because it was similar to GAM’s flag during the conflict. As of 1 April 2013, the Indonesian government had sent its minister to Aceh to dissuade Aceh officials from adopting the flag.2