Coordinating Minister for Law, Human Rights, Immigration and Corrections Yusril Ihza Mahendra said President Prabowo Subianto has the authority to make decisions regarding the dispute over four islands if the parties do not reach an agreement.
The four islands in question are Lipan Island, Panjang Island, Mangkir Gadang Island, and Mangkir Ketek Island.
"Of course he has the authority. The President is the holder of the highest state government power according to the 1945 Constitution," said Yusril, as confirmed.
According to him, the President has the authority to decide on the dispute over the status of the four islands if the Governor of Aceh and the Governor of North Sumatra cannot reach a settlement point and submit it to the President to make a decision.
The President's decision, he continued, can later be stated in the form of a Presidential Instruction to the Minister of Home Affairs (Mendagri) to follow up through the issuance of a Minister of Home Affairs Regulation (Permendagri) regarding the land and sea boundaries between Aceh Singkil Regency and Central Tapanuli Regency.
