BANDA ACEH — The Chairman of Relawan Peduli Rakyat Lintas Batas, Arizal Mahdi, has called on the Aceh Government, regents, mayors, and all levels of the regional bureaucracy to remain on the right track in carrying out the people’s mandate and to avoid falling into corruption, abuse of power, and budget manipulation that could jeopardise Aceh’s future.
According to Arizal Mahdi, Aceh carries a long history marked by sacrifice, conflict, and the suffering of its people — a painful chapter that must never be repeated due to weak leadership integrity and poor governance.
“The people of Aceh have endured historical wounds for far too long. We must not allow society to lose hope once again because of corruption, unhealthy bureaucracy, and a system of power that serves group interests above the interests of the people,” Arizal Mahdi said in a statement on Thursday.
He stressed that the peace achieved in Aceh following the Helsinki Memorandum of Understanding was not merely about ending armed conflict, but also about establishing a government that is clean, fair, transparent, and genuinely committed to serving ordinary people.
Over recent years, alleged corruption cases in several regions across Aceh have repeatedly drawn public attention and scrutiny from law enforcement authorities. Various cases involving budget misuse, government project irregularities, and bribery practices have been viewed as undermining public trust in the bureaucracy and regional administrations.
Arizal Mahdi warned that if corrupt practices continue to grow within government institutions, it is ultimately the people who will suffer the most. Funds that should be allocated for village development, agriculture, education, healthcare, employment opportunities, and public welfare risk being lost due to the actions of irresponsible individuals.
In his view, corruption not only damages regional finances, but also gradually erodes the younger generation’s trust in the future of governance and social justice in Aceh.
“Do not speak about developing Aceh while public funds continue to leak across multiple sectors. Do not speak about prosperity while project manipulation, politically motivated appointments, and abuse of authority still exist within the bureaucracy,” he stated.
He also urged the Aceh Government and regional leaders to strengthen budget transparency, expand public oversight, and establish a healthy and professional bureaucratic system in order to restore and maintain public confidence.
“Good governance, transparency, and accountability must become the foundation of Aceh’s future development. Without integrity in leadership and public administration, sustainable progress will remain difficult to achieve,” he added.
According to him, genuine leaders should never fear criticism or public scrutiny, because power is fundamentally a mandate to serve the people, not a tool for personal or group enrichment.
“Aceh possesses enormous potential for progress, but such progress will never be achieved if corruption continues to become a culture and the bureaucracy loses its sense of public service,” he asserted.
“With its strategic resources, historical strength, and resilient people, Aceh possesses the capacity to become one of the strongest and most progressive regions in Indonesia. However, this can only be realised through honest leadership, institutional integrity, and a government that truly prioritises the welfare of its people.”
Arizal Mahdi further emphasised that his criticism was not intended to bring anyone down, but rather reflected a sincere concern that Aceh should not once again lose its direction in development and public trust in government institutions.
He expressed hope that all regional leaders would demonstrate exemplary leadership, moral courage, and a genuine commitment to building a clean administration that stands firmly with the people.
“The people of Aceh today do not need grand promises. They need leaders who are honest, who work sincerely, and who are capable of safeguarding the people’s trust with conscience and integrity,” he said.
He also reminded political elites and regional officials that Aceh’s history must serve as a profound lesson to prevent the repetition of past mistakes.
“The peace of Aceh was built upon immense sacrifice and the long tears of its people. Therefore, power today must not be used as a means of self-enrichment, but as a responsibility to safeguard Aceh’s future.”
“History has taught us that regions are not destroyed because their people are weak, but because their leaders forget their responsibility to protect the public trust.”
“The future of Aceh will not be determined by how much power its leaders hold, but by how sincerely they protect the dignity, trust, and hopes of the people,” Arizal Mahdi concluded.
