Official Language and Symbol: MoU between the Government of the Republic of Indonesia and the Free Aceh Movement
Implementations
Official Language and Symbol – 2005
Revising the regional symbol, crest and a hymn was to be part of the Law on Governing Aceh, which was in the draft stage in 2005. The drafting process started in September 2005 and the government of Indonesia was about to submit the draft law to the Indonesian parliament.1
- “Controversy over drafting of constitution for Indonesia’ Aceh continues,” BBC Monitoring Asia Pacific, December 22, 2005.
Official Language and Symbol – 2006
The draft bill was submitted to the parliament in January1 and the bill was passed by the parliament on 11 June.2 Chapter 36 of the Law (Articles 246 to 248) dealt with flag, a crest and a hymn. The flag was said to be stipulated by a law, which did not happen in 2006.
- “Indonesia submits draft law on Aceh to parliament,” Agence France Presse, January 27, 2006.
- “Indonesian media reacts to passing of Aceh governance law,” BBC Monitoring, July 12, 2006.
Official Language and Symbol – 2007
While the provision to implement a crest and a hymn moved smoothly, the issue of the flag dragged on. No updates were reported this year.
Official Language and Symbol – 2008
No developments observed this year.
Official Language and Symbol – 2009
No developments observed this year.
Official Language and Symbol – 2010
No developments observed this year.
Official Language and Symbol – 2011
No developments observed this year.
Official Language and Symbol – 2012
No developments observed this year.
Official Language and Symbol – 2013
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.1
Official Language and Symbol – 2014
No further developments observed.