BANDA ACEH — The Chairman of Relawan Peduli Rakyat Lintas Batas, Arizal Mahdi, has urged Aceh Governor Muzakir Manaf, widely known as Mualem, to immediately meet demonstrators protesting the restriction policy on Aceh Health Insurance (JKA) services in order to provide direct clarification to the public and prevent the situation from escalating further amid growing public attention in recent days.
According to Arizal Mahdi, open communication between the government and the people is essential to maintaining social stability and easing tensions amid the growing wave of protests in Banda Aceh following the emergence of controversy surrounding the Governor Regulation related to JKA.
“If the restriction of JKA services is indeed connected to national regulations or policies imposed by the central government, then this should be conveyed openly to the public. There is nothing to fear. The people of Aceh simply require honest and transparent explanations from their leaders,” Arizal Mahdi stated.
He noted that the people of Aceh have long placed considerable hope in the continuation of the JKA programme, as healthcare services represent one of the most fundamental needs of society, particularly for low-income communities and residents living in remote areas.
During the 2024 Aceh gubernatorial debate, the Muzakir Manaf–Fadhlullah ticket publicly pledged to expand equal access to healthcare services across Aceh, including rural and underserved regions, as part of their official development vision and mission.
Furthermore, the official vision and mission document of the Mualem–Dek Fadh administration also emphasised commitments to improving public services and enhancing social welfare through fair and sustainable development policies.
The controversy surrounding the Governor Regulation (Pergub) concerning JKA has now attracted widespread attention across Aceh. Several academics, legal experts, and members of the Aceh House of Representatives (DPRA) have argued that Governor Regulation Number 2 of 2026 concerning JKA is allegedly inconsistent with Aceh Qanun Number 4 of 2010 on Health, which has long served as the principal legal foundation for the implementation of the JKA programme in the province.
Under Indonesia’s legislative hierarchy system, lower regulations must not contradict higher laws and regulations, in accordance with the legal doctrine Lex Superior Derogat Legi Inferiori. Consequently, several parties have urged the Aceh Government to review the substance of the Governor Regulation in order to prevent prolonged controversy and growing social tension within society.
Arizal Mahdi stressed that political commitments made during the election campaign should serve as a moral foundation for preserving public trust, particularly in matters concerning healthcare services and the protection of fundamental public rights.
“When people begin to worry about their access to healthcare, the government must step forward and provide clarity rather than allowing uncertainty to spread. The longer this issue remains unexplained, the greater the risk of speculation and public anxiety throughout society,” he emphasised.
He also called on the Aceh Government and the DPRA to immediately establish constructive dialogue in order to seek the best possible solution so that healthcare services can continue without creating uncertainty or public unrest.
Relawan Peduli Rakyat Lintas Batas further emphasised that the organisation does not seek to aggravate the situation, but rather encourages open communication between the government and society in order to maintain social stability and preserve public confidence in Aceh’s governing institutions.
In addition, Arizal Mahdi appealed to the public to remain peaceful, maintain public order, and avoid provocation while expressing their aspirations regarding the JKA policy, so that stability and social harmony in Aceh may continue to be safeguarded.
The issue has also sparked broader discussions across Aceh regarding healthcare access, regional autonomy, and the government’s responsibility to safeguard social welfare programmes that directly affect ordinary citizens.
The JKA programme has long been regarded as one of the defining symbols of Aceh’s post-conflict healthcare system and a reflection of the government’s commitment to supporting underprivileged communities. Therefore, any policy affecting public access to healthcare services must be communicated carefully, transparently, and with the interests of the people placed above all else.
As of now, the Aceh Government has not issued an official response regarding the increasing public calls for Governor Muzakir Manaf to engage directly in dialogue with demonstrators.
“Healthcare is not merely a policy issue; it is a fundamental public right. Therefore, every decision affecting people’s access to healthcare must be communicated with transparency, wisdom, and a genuine commitment to public welfare,” Arizal Mahdi concluded.
According to him, the people of Aceh do not need prolonged conflict, but rather certainty, stability, and the presence of leaders who are willing to listen directly to the voices of the people.
