New Leaders, New Hopes? (Aceh Welcomes New Leader)
Minister of Home Affairs, Tito Karnavian, inaugurated the pair Muzakir Manaf and Fadlullah as governor and deputy governor of Aceh for the 2025-2030 period in a plenary session of the Aceh DPR, Wednesday (12/2/2025). The inauguration of the governor and deputy governor of Aceh is different from other provinces in Indonesia because of the order of Article 69 letter c of Law Number 11 of 2006 concerning the Government of Aceh. The article states that the inauguration of the governor and deputy governor is carried out by the Minister of Home Affairs on behalf of the president before the chairman of the Aceh Sharia Court in a plenary session of the Aceh DPR.
The existence of Article 69 is what makes the inauguration of the governor and deputy governor of Aceh not only different in process but also different in schedule from the inauguration of governors/deputy governors of other provinces which will be carried out on February 20, 2025 directly by the President of the Republic of Indonesia Prabowo Subianto.
So, there is no need to question why the leaders in Aceh prefer to be inaugurated by the Minister of Home Affairs on behalf of the president rather than being inaugurated directly by the president as in other provinces in Indonesia. The existence of lex specialist regulations does not always provide special privileges for Aceh. However, it is another thing that may need to be updated in the amendment to Law Number 11/2006 which has been included in the 2025 national legislation program.
The inauguration of the pair of Governor Muzakir Manaf and Deputy Governor Fadlullah should bring new enthusiasm to the people of Aceh. After being led by acting governors for a long time with all their advantages and disadvantages in policy making (or lack of policies), finally the people of Aceh have a definitive leader as a result of the 2025 regional head election.
Regardless of the pros and cons, the results of this regional head election provide legality for the pair Mualem - Dek Fad (familiar greeting for Muzakir Manaf - Fadhlullah). The pair, who were supported by the Aceh Party and the Gerindra Party as well as a number of other political parties, received 53.27 percent of valid votes. Although not dominant until a dispute arose in the Constitutional Court, Mualem - Dek Fad became the leaders of Aceh from the results of a democratic election.
New hopes are naturally pinned on the shoulders of the two Aceh leaders because of various regional, national and global conditions that have had a serious impact on the lives of the Acehnese people. Relatively high poverty, low quality of education and human resources, inadequate public facilities, low economic growth, and a number of other homework. Aceh's economic growth should no longer be supported by the Aceh Revenue and Expenditure Budget which is vulnerable and full of political interests. The private sector must move more dominantly.
The running of the Aceh Government in the future also needs to be critically supported by various elements of Acehnese society. Religious scholars, academics, non-governmental organizations, mass media, and all levels of society must participate in overseeing the running of a clean, honest, and just government. The Mualem - Dek Fad pair not only pay attention to 53.27 percent of their voters, but also other voters who do not vote. When running the government exclusively, the people have a way to punish in the next election.[]
I wonder why it matters who does the inauguration job as long as it counts. It sound like exaggerating to me but hey, I can be wrong. In average it doesn't matter who reigns since a few always pull the strings and if, I say if, once in a while a different party of minister "reigns" there's always a reason for it (and most likely they know, agree and get paid very well).
It's an illusion to think the people have a voice. They just want you believe that. The same happens everywhere.
Let's talk in a year.
A good day to you.
There is a big difference between the inauguration carried out by the Minister of Home Affairs and the inauguration carried out directly by the President. Many aspirations of the people can be conveyed directly to the President compared to being conveyed through a minister who is an assistant to the President and is chosen by the President.
Thank you for your comment. Warm greetings from Aceh, Indonesia.