TNI raises Merah Putih again at Masjid Raya Baiturrahman, Aceh
KSAD Maruli Simanjuntak says the situation in Aceh is calm and TNI will not send extra troops to the province.
TNI troops again raised the Merah Putih flag and pennants in the courtyard of Masjid Raya Baiturrahman, Banda Aceh, on Sunday (16/8), a day after the flag was torn down by a crowd during the 21st anniversary commemoration of the Aceh peace accord. The re-raising was carried out by personnel from Kodim 0101/KBA, Yonif Raider 112/Dharma Jaya, Yon Zipur 16/Dhika Anoraga, and Yon Armed 17/Rencong Cakti ahead of the 81st anniversary of Indonesian independence. The incident on Saturday (15/8) briefly heightened tensions between the crowd and TNI-Polri officers. On Monday (17/8), KSAD Jenderal Maruli Simanjuntak said conditions in Aceh were already conducive and that local officers could handle the matter, so TNI would not add personnel to the province.