Indonesian National Armed Forces Staff and Command College Meets Wali Nanggroe: Aceh Encouraged to Become the Western Frontier of National Defense |

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The Commander of the Indonesian National Armed Forces Staff and Command College (Sesko TNI), Air Marshal Arif Widianto, and his entourage paid a courtesy call on the Wali of Nanggroe Aceh, His Excellency Tgk. Malik Mahmud Al-Haythar, in Meuligoe Wali Nanggroe, Banda Aceh, on Thursday, October 30, 2025.

"Peace in Aceh is not a sign of weakness, but rather a form of strategic strength. We choose the path of civilization, diplomacy over confrontation. Protecting Aceh means protecting Indonesia, and Indonesia must honor Aceh," said Wali Nanggroe, who was accompanied by Special Staff Dr. Muhammad Raviq, Member of the Tuha Peut Council Prof. Dr. H. Syahrizal Abbas, M.A., and Khatibul Wali Abdullah Hasbullah.

The Wali Nanggroe also presented the Aceh Strategic Memorandum Concept 2025–2035, which positions Aceh as the "Western Frontier of the Republic of Indonesia."

This vision is supported by three main agendas: the development of a maritime and coastal defense system (Marine & Coastal Defense System), strengthening the maritime economy and energy downstreaming, and inclusive development and the fulfillment of community rights post-conflict.

As a signatory to the 2005 Helsinki MoU between the Indonesian Government and the Free Aceh Movement (GAM), the Wali Nanggroe emphasized that peace is a long-term national resilience strategy, not simply a political agreement.

Meanwhile, Air Marshal Arif Widianto expressed his appreciation for the Wali Nanggroe's welcome. He assessed that the Aceh region plays a vital role in the national defense and humanitarian system.

"It is a great honor to be able to visit and engage in direct dialogue with the Wali Nanggroe. Aceh, a region that was once a battlefield, is now a learning space. From Aceh, future TNI leaders learn about resilience, loyalty, and the balance between strength and humanity," he said.

Zulfikar Idris, Head of Cooperation and Public Relations for the Wali Nanggroe Institute, stated that during the meeting, Wali Nanggroe emphasized that peace in Aceh is part of the national strategic strength.

The visit also coincided with the Contingency Action Plan Preparation Exercise (Latniskontingjensi) for Student Officers from the 54th Indonesian Military Command (Sesko TNI) in Banda Aceh.

The exercise aimed to improve officers' readiness to face crises and disasters quickly, accurately, and in an integrated manner, while simultaneously establishing Aceh as a national strategic laboratory and center for humanitarian preparedness.

During the meeting, both parties agreed to strengthen synergy between Sesko TNI and the Wali Nanggroe Institute through joint research in maritime security, integrated military-civilian training, and the development of a Regional Defense-Economic Hub in Aceh.

This initiative is expected to become a new model for Indonesian defense, oriented towards peace and the welfare of the people, by linking human development to the national security system.

Closing the meeting, the Wali Nanggroe reaffirmed Aceh's commitment to the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia (NKRI).

"Aceh remains the shield of western Indonesia and a great home of peace. Aceh's loyalty to the Republic will be eternal, as long as it is upheld with justice and honor," he concluded.[]

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Source: Press release from Wali Nanggroe Public Relations.

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