The Indonesian Ministry of Home Affairs, which has the authority to annul regional bylaws, said a 2004 law on regional governments and a 2007 presidential regulation on regional symbols banned both flags and symbols of outlawed organizations and separatist movements.
“According to the law, local governments can have a flag, a hymn and a logo with a symbol,” said Reydonnyzar Moeloek, a ministry spokesman. “But the symbol should be cultural, to unite that local region. It can’t be similar to or inspiring separatism. This is not a political issue. This is an issue of the law, regarding evaluation of the bylaw by the central government.”
The Aceh governor’s office has countered that the 2005 peace agreement and the 2006 Law on Governing Aceh allow the province to have its own flag, hymn and symbol.