Aceh: A Beautiful Woman Restricted

Aceh is a fragrant land with a long history. It once stood as a powerful, respected sultanate in the Strait of Malacca. It is not just a territory, but a soul full of dignity. Aceh is like a beautiful woman: dignified, graceful, yet her steps are now always restricted.

Since the signing of the 2005 Helsinki MoU, the world assumed Aceh had found its path to justice. However, reality tells a different story. Many agreements remain merely written documents, awaiting "approval" by the central government. Every step Aceh takes to establish itself requires permits, as if it is unable to stand on its own two feet. This is a wound that is still felt today: special autonomy, supposedly broad, is always narrowed by regulations and interpretations.

The Acehnese flag, a symbol of self-respect that should be a source of pride, is instead seen as a threat. Natural resources that should be for the people often seem to flow more outward than to the landowners. It's as if Aceh is a beautiful woman who must always be protected, but that protection has turned into shackles.

Yet, history has proven: without Aceh, Indonesia might not have become independent so quickly. Aceh's gold, the prayers of Acehnese clerics, and the struggle of its people are part of the foundation of the republic. Yet today, this beautiful woman is often treated like a beggar, begging for recognition, demanding that agreements be kept, demanding rights that should already be hers.

Aceh still dances on the stage of history. But her dance is often limited by the lines set by others. She can speak, but her voice is often muffled. She can walk, but her path is restricted.

But one thing is certain: this beautiful woman will never lose her charm. The long history, the blood of fighters, and the dignity of the Acehnese nation are a light that cannot be extinguished. Limits can restrain the body, but they cannot imprison the soul.
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Note: I am writing in Indonesian and using the help of Google translate to translate into English.

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