Aceh to Explore Potential Oil and Gas Reserves in Formerly Disputed Islands

6 hours ago 1

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Aceh Governor Muzakir Manaf has announced that the local government will explore potential oil and gas reserves in four islands previously disputed with North Sumatra. These islands are Pulau Panjang, Pulau Lipan, Pulau Mangkir Gadang, and Pulau Mangkir Ketek.

Speaking at the residence of former Vice President Jusuf Kalla, Muzakir Manaf affirmed this intention. "It seems like that. Possibly," he told Tempo in the Brawijaya area, Kebayoran Baru, South Jakarta, on Tuesday night, June 17, 2025.

Mualem, as Muzakir is widely known, believes that these four islands hold oil and gas reserves. "We have a feeling about it." He conveyed this after President Prabowo Subianto returned the four islands to Aceh.

Mualem also expressed his plan to invite investors to exploit the area. "Inviting investors? It's possible. If there are investors, if there are entrepreneurs, why not," he said at the Presidential Palace, Jakarta, on Tuesday, June 17, 2025.

Conversely, Prasetyo Hadi, spokesman for President Prabowo Subianto and Secretary of State, stated that there are no energy resources on the four islands.

The Gerindra politician claimed that he had checked with the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM). The ministry's findings indicate no studies have confirmed the presence of energy reserves in the four islands, which are now officially part of Aceh.

"There have been no studies indicating energy reserves," he said at the Presidential Palace, Jakarta, on Tuesday, June 17, 2025.

Prasetyo urged the public to verify information and avoid being easily provoked by ongoing issues.

Hendrik Yaputra contributed to this article.

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