The Aceh Globe

Senjakala Pedir

noreply@blogger.com (theacehglobe) — Fri, 24 Oct 2025 07:48:00 +0000

ANGIN laut dari barat bertiup tenang ke pesisir utara Sumatra, membawa aroma asin pekat, bercampur wangi lada yang baru dipetik. Di sana, di bawah rimbunan pohon kelapa yang melambai dan bentangan sawah menghijau, ribuan pasang mata menatap ke satu titik.

Di atas sebuah gundukan tanah, berdiri tegap seorang bangsawan muda dari suku Mon Khmer: Sjahir Pauling. Mengenakan pakaian tenun sederhana, namun berwibawa, keturunan pendatang asal Champa itu memegang tiang bendera dari kayu ulin yang kokoh.

"Mulai hari ini," ucapnya, suaranya lantang dan bergetar, bergema di antara kerumunan yang sunyi.

"Wilayah ini tak lagi menjadi persinggahan para bajak laut, atau sekadar pelabuhan rempah yang rentan. Kita dirikan sebuah kerajaan! Sebuah tempat bagi hukum yang tak tertandingi, keadilan yang suci, dan kejayaan abadi!"

Dia menancapkan tiang itu ke dalam tanah dengan kekuatan penuh. Suara "duk!" yang keras menjadi penanda. Bendera baru, berwarna merah marun dengan lambang pedang emas berkilat, berkibar ditiup angin. Seketika. sorak rakyat pecah, membahana, seolah guncangan tiang itu telah membangkitkan semangat baru di seluruh penjuru Kerajaan Poli.

Tahun itu, akhir abad ke-13, adalah masa transisi. Kerajaan-kerajaan kecil di pesisir Sumatra mulai memantapkan kekuasaan. Sjahir Pauling, yang dikenal bijaksana dan ahli strategi, tak membuang waktu. Dia memanggil panglimanya, Teuku Manira, seorang pria dengan otot kawat tulang besi dan mata setajam elang.

"Panglima, kita harus pastikan tiap jengkal tanah ini adalah milik rakyat," perintahnya, dalam sebuah rapat, jemarinya menunjuk ke peta yang terhampar di meja.

"Perketat penjagaan di setiap sungai dan Selat Malaka, buka jalan-jalan baru, dan terapkan sistem pajak yang adil. Pondasi kerajaan ini adalah kepercayaan dan kemakmuran."

Beberapa tahun kemudian, pelabuhan Kuala Batee dan Sigli, gerbang dagang utama Poli, telah menjadi salah satu yang tersibuk di Nusantara. Di pagi, saat kabut tipis masih menyelimuti laut, kapal-kapal dari Malabar, Turki, dan Tiongkok mulai bersandar. Teriakan pedagang dari berbagai bangsa bersahutan, tawa riang, dan suara tumpukan koin yang memenuhi udara.[]

Temukan selengkapnya dalam e-book "Api di Selat Malaka"

Harganya: Rp120.000 dapat dua e-books: "Api di Selat Malaka" dan "Aceh, 1480" -- perpaduan kejayaan Aceh masa lalu dań masa depan.

Silahkan pesan via WA: 0811684351

Ketika Marco Polo Terjebak di Pasai

noreply@blogger.com (theacehglobe) — Tue, 21 Oct 2025 01:02:00 +0000

LANGIT gelap bergelayut, angin muson berderu deras dari utara. Gelombang laut Selat Malaka menghantam lambung kapal-kapal kayu milik rombongan saudagar besar asal Venesia: Marco Polo.

Layar-layar raksasa terkoyak dihempas angin liar, sementara para awak berteriak saling sahut-menyahut dalam kecemasan.

“Capitano! Ombak makin tinggi. Kita tidak akan selamat jika terus melawan!” teriak seorang pelaut, wajahnya basah oleh campuran hujan dan air asin.

Marco Polo berdiri di buritan, matanya menembus kabut yang kian tebal.

“Cari daratan! Ada bau kayu bakar di udara. Pulau ini tidak kosong. Kita akan selamat jika menepi di sana,” ujarnya dengan suara tegas.

Beberapa jam kemudian, mata pelaut menangkap cahaya lampu minyak di kejauhan. Pelabuhan! Mereka beringsut lega, seakan dituntun takdir menuju negeri yang kelak tercatat dalam sejarah: Kerajaan Samudera Pasai.

Begitu kapal merapat, Marco Polo dan rombongannya tertegun. Di hadapan terbentang pelabuhan ramai dengan ribuan perahu dan jong. Bau lada, kapur barus, dan rempah-rempah menyesak udara.

“Dio mio… (Ya Tuhan…),” bisik Marco Polo sambil mengangkat tangan. “Ini lebih megah dari pelabuhan mana pun yang pernah kulihat.”

Pedagang Arab berjubah putih bertransaksi dengan saudagar Tiongkok berbalut sutra. Di sudut lain, penukar uang Persia menghitung kepingan dirham dan dinar emas di atas meja kayu. Lantunan ayat suci terdengar dari surau kecil tepi dermaga, berpadu dengan hiruk pikuk tawar-menawar.

“Ini bukan sekadar tempat singgah, Tuan Marco Polo,” tutur seorang nakhoda Arab, menunjuk ke arah dermaga yang hiruk pikuk. “Ini jantung perdagangan lada, timah, dan gading gajah. Rajanya bijaksana, dan agama baru sedang menyebar di sini.”

Keesokan paginya, Marco Polo menelusuri pasar Pasai. Jalan tanahnya becek setelah hujan semalam, namun penuh orang-orang dari berbagai bangsa. Seorang pedagang perempuan dengan kerudung sederhana menawari sekeranjang lada hitam.

“Tuanku, lada ini harum dan kuat. Pedagang dari Gujarat sangat menyukainya,” katanya sambil tersenyum ramah.

Marco mengendus biji lada itu, lalu berkata kepada penerjemahnya, “Rempah ini, jika sampai ke Eropa, akan dihargai lebih mahal daripada emas.”

Di lapak lain, seorang anak kecil berlari-lari membawa kendi tanah liat, sambil berteriak memanggil ibunya. Sementara, penenun kain duduk di depan rumah panggung, jemari mereka lincah merajut benang menjadi kain songket berkilau.

Marco Polo, yang terbiasa dengan kota-kota besar di Tiongkok, terkesima. Dia melihat penduduknya berpakaian longgar dan rapi, dengan peci dan kain sarung yang menutupi aurat. Suara azan dari menara masjid bergema, menggetarkan sanubarinya. Dia tahu, di tempat ini, sesuatu yang besar sedang terjadi.

“Di negeri ini, semua orang tampak bekerja. Lelaki di laut, perempuan di pasar, dan anak-anak ikut membantu,” tulis Marco, kelak dalam bukunya, "Il Milione" atau "The Travels of Marco Polo".

Di balik pasar, Marco Polo menyaksikan deretan rumah panggung dari kayu nibung, beratap rumbia. Di halaman, pohon kelapa menjulang, ayam-ayam berkokok, dan beberapa kerbau berkubang dalam lumpur.

Seorang lelaki tua duduk di beranda rumah sambil membaca kitab beraksara Arab. Di sekitarnya, beberapa anak kecil mengaji dengan suara lirih.

“Bismillahirrahmanirrahim…” suara mereka beriring dengan desiran angin laut.

“Agama menjadi nadi masyarakat ini,” ujar seorang ulama muda yang menuntun Marco Polo saat berkeliling. “Kami berdagang dengan dunia, tapi hati kami selalu terikat pada Al-Qur’an.”

Malam hari, jalan-jalan pasar seketika hening. Lampu minyak di depan rumah berkedip pelan. Dari kejauhan terdengar suara rebana mengiringi syair-syair zikir.[]

Temukan detailnya dalam e-book "Api di Selat Malaka"

Harganya: Rp120.000 dapat dua e-books: "Api di Selat Malaka" dan "Aceh, 1480" -- perpaduan kejayaan Aceh masa lalu dań masa depan.

Silahkan pesan via WA: 0811684351

Ustadz Adi Hidayat Tausiyah Dalam Bahasa Inggris

noreply@blogger.com (theacehglobe) — Fri, 15 Nov 2024 01:23:00 +0000

Ulama Memaku Negeri Ini Dengan Sifat Taqwa - Ustadz Adi Hidayat

noreply@blogger.com (theacehglobe) — Sat, 02 Nov 2024 00:47:00 +0000

Begini Kehidupan Penghuni Neraka - Ustadz Dr. Syafiq Riza Basalamah, MA

noreply@blogger.com (theacehglobe) — Fri, 10 May 2024 02:26:00 +0000

RAHASIA... !!! Baca Ini Agar Do'a Cepat Terkabulnya - Ustadz Dr. Adi Hid...

noreply@blogger.com (theacehglobe) — Mon, 26 Feb 2024 10:29:00 +0000

Apa Pengorbananmu Untuk Islam - Ustadz DR. Syafiq Riza Basalamah, MA

noreply@blogger.com (theacehglobe) — Sat, 24 Feb 2024 05:20:00 +0000

4 Golongan Utama Pada Zaman Jahiliyah - Ustadz Adi Hidayat

noreply@blogger.com (theacehglobe) — Sat, 18 Nov 2023 02:01:00 +0000

Standar Hijrah - Ustadz Abdul Somad

noreply@blogger.com (theacehglobe) — Wed, 01 Nov 2023 03:38:00 +0000

❤️❤️MasyaaAllah, Tabarakallah | Shalat dalam Raudah & Menziarahi Rasulu...

noreply@blogger.com (theacehglobe) — Mon, 30 Oct 2023 00:36:00 +0000

Doa Khusus Dibaca Hari Jum'at | Ustadz Dr. Adi Hidayat, Lc., MA

noreply@blogger.com (theacehglobe) — Fri, 01 Sep 2023 02:01:00 +0000

Tips Shalat Tahajjud Bagi Pemula | Ustadz Adi Hidayat

noreply@blogger.com (theacehglobe) — Wed, 30 Aug 2023 05:12:00 +0000

Dalilnya Apa? | Ustadz Adi Hidayat

noreply@blogger.com (theacehglobe) — Tue, 29 Aug 2023 03:37:00 +0000

Jangan Lalaikan Do'a Ini

noreply@blogger.com (theacehglobe) — Sun, 20 Aug 2023 00:41:00 +0000

Ja'far Ash-Shodiq rahimahullah mengatakan: "Aku heran tethadap orang yang tertimpa 4 hal namun ia lalai dari 4 hal:

1. Orang yang tertimpa penyakit, namun ia lalai mengucapkan:

رَبِّ أَنِّى مَسَّنِيَ الضُّرُّ وَأَنتَ أَرْحَم الرَّاحِمِيْنَ

"Ya Tuhanku, sesungguhnya aku telah ditimpa penyakit dan Engkau adalah Tuhan Yang Maha Penyayang di anatara semua penyayang. (QS. Al-Anbiyaa: 83).

Lalu, Allah berfirman sebagai jawaban setelah hamba berdoa:

فَاسْتَجَبْنَا لَهُ فَكَشَفْنَا مَا بِهِ مِنْ ضُرٍّ ۖوَآتَيْنَاهُ أَهْلَهُ وَمِثْلَهُمْ مَعَهُمْ رَحْمَةً مِنْ عِنْدِنَا وَذِكْرَىٰ لِلْعَابِدِين

"Maka Kamipun memperkenankan seruannya itu, lalu Kami lenyapkan penyakit yang ada padanya dan Kami kembalikan keluarganya kepadanya, dan Kami lipat gandakan bilangan mereka, sebagai suatu rahmat dari sisi Kami dan untuk menjadi peringatan bagi semua yangmenyembah Allah". (QS:21:84).

2. Orang yang sedang berduka, namun ia lalai dari mengucapkan:

...ْ لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ سُبْحَانَكَ إِنِّي كُنْتُ مِنَ الظَّالِمِين.

"...bahwa tidak ada Tuhan (yang berhak disembah) selain Engkau. Maha Suci Engkau, sesungguhnya aku adalah termasuk orang-orang yang zalim." (QS:21:87).

Lalu Allah menjawab dengan firman-Nya:

. فَاسْتَجَبْنَا لَهُ وَنَجَّيْنَاهُ مِنَالْغَمِّ ۚوَكَذَٰلِكَ نُنْجِي الْمُؤْمِنِين

"Maka Kami telah memperkenankan do`anya dan menyelamatkannya daripada kedukaan. Dan demikianlah Kami selamatkan orang-orang yang beriman."(QS:21:88).

3. Orang yang dilanda ketakutan, namun ia lalai dari mengucapakan:

.... حَسْبُنَا اللَّهُ وَنِعْمَ الْوَكِيل

...."cukuplah Allah menjadiPenolong kami dan Allah adalah sebaik-baik Pelindung".(QS:3:173)

Maka, Allah menjawab dengan firman-Nya:

فَانْقَلَبُوا بِنِعْمَةٍ مِنَ اللَّهِ وَفَضْلٍ لَمْ يَمْسَسْهُمْ سُوءٌ وَاتَّبَعُوا رِضْوَانَ اللَّهِ ۗ وَاللَّهُ ذُو فَضْلٍ عَظِيم

"Maka mereka kembali dengan nikmat dan karunia (yang besar) dari Allah, mereka tidak mendapat bencana apa-apa, mereka mengikuti keridhaan Allah. Dan Allah mempunyai karunia yang besar".(QS:3:174).

4. Dan orang yang tertimpa tipu daya jahat, namun ia lalai dari mengucapkan:

....وَأُفَوِّضُ أَمْرِي إِلَى اللَّهِ ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ بَصِيرٌ بِالْعِبَاد

"....dan aku menyerahkan urusanku kepada Allah. Sesungguhnya Allah Maha Melihat akan hamba-hamba-Nya".(QS:40:44).

Allah berfirman sebagai jawaban setelahnya:

فَوَقَاهُ اللَّهُ سَيِّئَاتِ مَا مَكَرُوا ۖ وَحَاقَ بِآلِ فِرْعَوْنَ سُوءُ الْعَذَاب

"Maka Allah memeliharanya dari kejahatan tipu daya mereka, dan Fir'aun beserta kaumnya dikepung oleh azab yang amat buruk.'(QS:40:45).

(Disadur dari kitab ad Daa' Wad Dawaa' karya al Imam Ibnu Qoyyim al Jauziyyah rahimahullah).

Wallahu a'lam.

🤲🏼BAARAKALLAHU FIIKUM

Kisah Penuh Inspiratif Ustadz Adi Hidayat

noreply@blogger.com (theacehglobe) — Sun, 13 Aug 2023 06:34:00 +0000

Makna di Balik Doa Bangun Tidur | Ustadz Adi Hidayat

noreply@blogger.com (theacehglobe) — Wed, 02 Aug 2023 15:51:00 +0000

Nekat, Gadis Kecil Gowes di Jalan Raya

noreply@blogger.com (theacehglobe) — Fri, 17 Sep 2021 23:48:00 +0000

Ajaib, Mimpi Tawaf Sendiri Terwujud Setelah 20 Tahun

noreply@blogger.com (theacehglobe) — Fri, 29 May 2020 02:07:00 +0000

Sungguh ajaib. Seorang pria yang bermimpi melakukan tawaf sendirian, akhirnya terwujud setelah 20 tahun berlalu.

Pria yang tak disebutkan identitasnya itu benar-benar melakukan tawaf di Ka'bah sendirian menyusul kebijakan pembatasan akibat wabah virus corona disease (covid-19) sejak beberapa bulan lalu oleh pemerintah Arab Saudi.

Kisah ini dikabarkan ulama besar asal Zimbabwe, Syekh Mufti Ismail Menk. Dia mendapatkan dari Syekh Ahmad Al-Khudayr. Bahkan, akun Twitter @HaramainInfo turut mempublikasikan peristiwa sangat langka ini, Kamis (28/5).

Begini ceritanya. 20 tahun lalu, pria paling beruntung di dunia ini, menunaikan ibadah haji. Saat beristirahat di Masjid Al Khaif di Mina, dia bermimpi. Lalu, sang pria tersebut mencari seorang penakwil mimpi. Masyarakat setempat membawanya ke para ulama.

Salah satu ulama itu adalah Sheikh Mohammad Al-Rumi. Ketika Sheikh Mohammad Al-Rumi mendengar mimpinya, dia menafsirkan dengan mengatakan bahwa suatu hari pria itu akan melakukan tawaf di Ka'bah sendirian.

Itu berarti dia akan mengelilingi rumah Allah sendirian. Saat itu, dia dan banyak orang meragukan pernyataan Sheikh Mohammad Al-Rumi dan berpikir bahwa hal itu adalah sesuatu yang mustahil.

"Bagaimana bisa seluruh tawaf berhenti, hanya untukku seorang?," pria itu berpikir kala itu.

Setelah bertahun-tahun, tepat sebelum Ramadhan tahun ini, dampak wabah virus corona semakin memburuk sehingga pihak berwenang Arab Saudi membatasi dan melarang semua umat Islam, termasuk warga kota Mekkah, melakukan tawaf.

Secara kebetulan, pria yang 20 tahun lalu bermimpi sedang berada di Baitullah dan seperti yang dapat kita lihat dalam gambar, dia melakukan tawaf sendirian.

Baru-baru ini, Sheikh Ahmad Al-Khudayr, salah satu temannya yang berbagi berita, mengatakan bagaimana mimpi temannya benar-benar menjadi kenyataan.

Memang, kehidupan ini tidak dapat diprediksi. Ada hal-hal yang tidak kita bayangkan terkadang menjadi kenyataan. Bila kita pelajari dari kejadian tersebut adalah bagaimana mimpi sebenarnya memiliki makna.

Terkadang kita tak bisa mengartikannya dengan benar, kadang-kadang bisa. Hanya beberapa orang yang percaya pada mukjizat, banyak yang tidak.

Sungguh ajaib, bagaimana ini terwujud bagi pria yang memimpikan mimpi suci dan 20 tahun kemudian menjadi kenyataan dalam hidupnya. “Hanya Allah SWT yang bisa melakukannya. Subhanallah![]

MENGGETARKAN...!!! Anak Aceh Azan Sangat Merdu

noreply@blogger.com (theacehglobe) — Thu, 07 May 2020 08:38:00 +0000

Lulusan SMK Minta Dinikahi Ust. Adi Hidayat

noreply@blogger.com (theacehglobe) — Sun, 05 May 2019 01:44:00 +0000

Adek Qaisara Baca Surah Ar-Rahman di Pelaminan Aceh

noreply@blogger.com (theacehglobe) — Tue, 30 Apr 2019 15:27:00 +0000

Ustadz Adi Hidayat Ditanya Soal 'Islam Liberal'

noreply@blogger.com (theacehglobe) — Sun, 28 Apr 2019 01:20:00 +0000

Two Buddhists Caned Under Shariah Law in Aceh

noreply@blogger.com (theacehglobe) — Fri, 10 Mar 2017 16:54:00 +0000

JANTHO, March 10 ― Indonesia’s only province to impose Shariah law caned Buddhists for the first time Friday, after two men accused of cockfighting opted for punishment under the strict Islamic regulations.

Alem bin Suhadi, 57, and Amel bin Akim, 60, both ethnic Chinese and members of the Buddhist minority, were whipped in front of dozens of local officials and residents in the city of Jantho, Aceh province.

The two men grimaced as they received nine and seven lashes respectively on their backs, a sentence that was mitigated because they had spent over a month in detention since police nabbed them for cockfighting in Aceh Besar in January.

“When they were arrested, two chickens and 400 thousand rupiah of betting money were confiscated by the police,” said prosecutor Rivandi Aziz.

Caning is common in Aceh for breaking the province’s strict Islamic laws, for offences ranging from drinking alcohol, to gambling to gay sex.

In the past only Muslim residents could be caned but that changed in 2015, when Aceh’s regulations were overhauled.

Non-Muslims who violate Islamic law can either choose to be tried under the national legal system or Shariah.

The two Buddhists would likely have faced jail under Indonesian nation law.

“We live in Aceh, so we have to obey the regulation in our region,” Alem told AFP shortly after being caned.

A Muslim was also lashed seven times for betting on cockfights today, while another man accused of abusing three teenagers was lashed 112 times.

Aceh, on Sumatra island, began implementing Shariah law after being granted special autonomy in 2001, an attempt by the central government in Jakarta to quell a long-running separatist insurgency.

Islamic laws have been strengthened since the province struck a peace deal with Jakarta in 2005.[]

Din Minimi Wants To Live In Normal Life

noreply@blogger.com (theacehglobe) — Fri, 15 Jan 2016 12:29:00 +0000

By BENARNEWS

BBC Photo

BANDA ACEH, TAG – The leader of a once formerly armed group in Indonesia’s Aceh province says he wants to live in peace as a commoner now that he and about 120 of his men have surrendered.

However Nurdin bin Ismail Amat, who is widely known by Din Minimi, 36, may not be immune from prosecution by local authorities for alleged crimes committed by his group, although the Indonesian central government had guaranteed amnesties for him and his men in exchange for their surrender on Dec. 29.

“I just want a quiet life. I also want to help people who need my help,” Din in a phone interview last Wednesday. “But I don’t think I will go into politics because I did not finish school.”

The interview occurred a day after Indonesian President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo reiterated his government’s promises to Din Minimi and his group for turning themselves in and putting down their weapons.

“We will grant him an amnesty for sure,” Jokowi said during a Tuesday cabinet meeting on human rights, Indonesian news website Detik.com reported.

Din, however, is expected to go through the legal process and potentially face criminal charges, despite Jokowi’s guarantee of amnesty.

Aceh police said they would file charges against Din and his men for their alleged roles in more than a dozen crimes committed in the province.

Din and his men surrendered to the chief of National Intelligence Agency (BIN), Sutiyoso, after years of leading his band of fighters in opposition to the provincial government. He also handed over 15 firearms and ammunition to Sutiyoso.

At the time of his surrender, Din requested amnesty for members of his group as well as all former Free Aceh Movement (GAM) combatant. He also demanded that the provincial administration guarantee the welfare of orphans, widows of GAM veterans and victims of Aceh’s three-decade-long conflict.

GAM fought a separatist insurgency against the Indonesian government, which ended with the signing of a peace accord in Helsinki in 2005. In addition, Din demanded that the Corruption Eradication Commission investigate cases of alleged corruption in Aceh’s government.

Last year, Din said in a separate interview that his group was fighting corruption in the provincial government, which is led by ex-GAM rebels.

‘Maybe I’ll do farming’

Now back home with his family in East Aceh regency, Din has received many visitors ranging from commoners to politicians, including former Aceh Gov. Irwandi Yusuf.

Din said that he would like to get back to work, although he is not sure how he would support his mother, wife and three children.

“Maybe I’ll do farming or drive heavy equipment as I did before,” he said, adding that his members worked as fishermen or farmers.

Aceh Provincial Police Chief Husein Hamidi, however, has vowed to bring Din and his group to justice, even though they have surrendered.

On Dec. 31, the police chief blamed Din and his group for 14 criminal cases in the North Aceh and East Aceh districts in the last three years.

“We will process him and his members legally in accordance with the applicable laws,” the chief said, but without saying when the process might begin.

Din denied any role in the crimes including kidnapping, extortion, arson, as well as the killing of two military intelligence officers in North Aceh on March 24, 2015.

The former militant leader asked if he should sue the police for having shot and killed his men.

“I already handed over all weapons. What else do they expect? If they want to arrest me, please. But I kept my promise to Sutiyoso,” Din said.

In December, Sutiyoso told BenarNews that he would ensure the safety of Din and his men after their surrender.

Calls for Din’s prosecution

Two of the people behind the push to bring charges against Din and his followers are the director of Legal Aid Institute (LBH) Banda Aceh, Mustiqal Syahputra, and the coordinator of the Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence Aceh, Hendra Saputra.

“Giving amnesty to a person who allegedly is behind 14 criminal offenses is tendentious and really should be re-examined,” Mustiqal said.

He said group members had been tried and sentenced to five years in prison. Their trials revealed that they had committed the crimes on Din’s orders.

“Din Minimi should be prosecuted because he is still on the Aceh police’s list of wanted people for his alleged crimes,” Hendra said.[]

The Story of Din Minimi

noreply@blogger.com (theacehglobe) — Tue, 03 Nov 2015 05:16:00 +0000

RELEASE

Din Minimi during inteviewed by Metro TV in August 2015.

JAKARTA (TAG) – Several different groups appear to be deliberately burnishing the image of a former rebel-turned-outlaw in Aceh to draw attention to his criticism of the provincial government, led by senior leaders of the Free Aceh Movement (Gerakan Aceh Merdeka, GAM).

The new report released by the Institute for Policy Analysis of Conflict (IPAC) in October stated that the misguided support for Din Minimi, who has robbed, kidnapped and killed, encourages partisan violence, which is the last thing Aceh needs.

Din Minimi, The Strange Story of an Armed Group in Aceh, Indonesia, the latest report from IPAC, looks at the rise and likely fall of the outlaw who served as a combatant during the final years of GAM’s insurgency.

He is being portrayed by various parties opposed to the current GAM-led government as a Robin Hood who abducts corruptors and drug dealers and uses the ransom money to assist orphans and widows neglected by the GAM leaders now in power.

In the process, he has attracted the attention of all who would like to see Partai Aceh, the GAM-led political party, discredited – and they include political rivals, intelligence personnel and extremists.

“Din Minimi is a criminal, whose activities only underscore how much violence lurks below the surface in Aceh after the 2005 peace agreement,” says Sidney Jones, IPAC director in the statement published on its website.

”No matter how poorly Partai Aceh has governed, there is no excuse for turning an armed thug into a hero.”

The report looks at Din Minimi’s background and his sudden rise to media prominence in 2014. His real name is Nurdin bin Ismail Amat who claimed as a former GAM fighter.

According to the report, he man who is allegedly Aceh’s most wanted criminal has since been in telephone contact with almost every top security official in Aceh as well many journalists, always giving the same message: the provincial government has failed to make good on its promises to former combatants, it has not given them homes or land, and has not lived up to its commitment to implement the 2005 agreement in full.

"Din Minimi’s long list of crimes since mid-2013, including the March 2015 killing of two military intelligence officers, has been given less prominence in the press than his grievances," the IPAC report said.

At the same time, some 20 of Din Minimi’s men are under arrest and their trials have revealed an interesting fact.

Some of his arms were purchased through a connection to a man serving a sentence in Banda Aceh prison on terrorism charges, for involvement in a terrorist training camp set up in Jantho, Aceh Besar, in 2010, the report said.

"The arms were reportedly financed by a member of a GAM splinter faction living in Norway. Among the many questions raised by this transaction is how security can continue to be so lax in prisons," it said.

The Din Minimi story also reveals ongoing competition between the police and military, showing how the military’s gently gently approach contrasts with hardline police tactics.

Aceh has a history of violence around local elections, and Aceh has 20 district races coming up in February 2016,” says Jones. “It would be in everyone’s interests to have Din Minimi behind bars long before that.[]