Wali Nanggroe Institution Gathers Input from Aceh Jaya to Strengthen Helsinki MoU Implementation
The Study Team on the Implementation of the Helsinki Memorandum of Understanding (Helsinki MoU) and Law No. 11 of 2006 on the Government of Aceh (UUPA)—operating under the Wali Nanggroe Institution—gathered input from the Aceh Jaya Regency Government. This information will serve as the basis for formulating strategic recommendations to strengthen the implementation of the Helsinki MoU and the UUPA.
The dialogue, held at the Aceh Jaya Regent's Office on Tuesday, July 28, 2026, was led by the Head of the Wali Nanggroe Tuha Lapan (Council of Eight Elders), Kamaruddin Andalah, representing the Study Team Chair, Prof. Dr. Syahrizal Abbas.
Kamaruddin stated that the visit was not intended to evaluate the local government's performance, but rather to listen directly to the region's views, experiences, obstacles, and proposals regarding the implementation of the Helsinki MoU and the UUPA.
"Peace in Aceh has endured for over twenty years. While there are many achievements to be grateful for, there remain mandates within the Helsinki MoU and the UUPA whose implementation needs to be further strengthened. Therefore, we wish to hear directly about local experiences so that the recommendations we draft truly reflect the needs of the Acehnese people," said Kamaruddin.
During the dialogue, the Aceh Jaya Regency Government highlighted the uneven understanding of the Helsinki MoU's substance among the public and government officials. It was deemed necessary to expand outreach efforts to the village (gampong) level, schools, and various community segments—particularly to deepen the younger generation's understanding of peace values and Aceh's special status.
Several challenges regarding UUPA implementation were also raised. Certain provisions of the Helsinki MoU were viewed as not yet fully accommodated within the execution of the UUPA. Conversely, a number of national regulations were seen as still restricting the authority of the Aceh Government and regency governments, particularly regarding natural resource management, investment, public services, and the acceleration of development.
The effectiveness of the utilization of Special Autonomy Funds was also among the issues discussed. The Aceh Jaya Regency Government believes that continuous evaluation is necessary to ensure the community increasingly feels the benefits of these funds, while also strengthening coordination among the Central Government, the Aceh Government, and the regency administration.
One proposal that emerged was the construction of a Helsinki MoU Memorial Space in Aceh Jaya. This facility is envisioned as a center for education and documentation regarding the history of peace, as well as a space for community dialogue to uphold the values of peace and Aceh’s special status.
The Wali Nanggroe Institution’s study team also emphasized the importance of reinforcing the institution's role as a unifying body that safeguards the values of peace, customary traditions, and Aceh’s special status, as mandated by the Helsinki MoU and the Law on the Governing of Aceh (UUPA).
Mohammad Raviq, the Special Staff to the Wali Nanggroe for Diplomacy and Foreign Cooperation, stated that all aspirations gathered from Aceh Jaya would be incorporated into the materials used to draft recommendations.
"This study is expected to serve as an objective foundation for formulating recommendations to His Excellency the Wali Nanggroe, aimed at strengthening the implementation of the Helsinki MoU and the UUPA, while also addressing various future development challenges in Aceh," he said.
All input from Aceh Jaya will subsequently be integrated with the results of dialogues held in other regencies and cities across Aceh. The study's findings will be presented to the Wali Nanggroe of Aceh as strategic recommendations and as material for advocacy directed at both the Aceh Government and the Central Government.
The dialogue in Aceh Jaya is part of a series of visits by the Wali Nanggroe Institution’s study team—tasked with reviewing the implementation of the Helsinki MoU and the UUPA—to all regencies and cities in Aceh. These visits aim to gather stakeholder input on strengthening peace, upholding Aceh’s special status, and fostering equitable and sustainable development. []
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