Banda Aceh News | ACEH JAYA — In a strategic move to solidify community-based policing along northern Sumatra’s maritime frontier, Aceh Regional Police Chief Inspector General Ruddi Setiawan conducted an official working visit to the Rigaih Fish Landing Base (TPI Rigaih) in Lhok Timon Village, Setia Bakti District, Aceh Jaya Regency, on Sunday, November 8, 2026.
The high-profile coastal outreach involved direct dialogues with the Panglima Laot—the traditional customary maritime authority of Aceh—alongside local fishermen, fish auction operators, and coastal residents. The initiative forms part of the regional police force’s broader framework to establish direct, unmediated communication channels with maritime communities operating along vulnerable coastal stretches.
Addressing the gathering, Inspector General Ruddi emphasized that law enforcement presence must be directly felt by maritime workers whose daily livelihoods depend on open water operations. The engagement directly aligns with the strategic directive issued by Indonesian National Police Chief General Suyudi Ario Seto under the institutional tagline “Polisi Bersama Masyarakat” (Police with the People), which mandates active community involvement in maintaining regional peace and public order (Kamtibmas).
Combating Maritime Narcotics Trafficking along Peripheral Coasts
A primary agenda of the operational visit was hardening coastal entry points against transnational narcotics networks. Given Aceh’s strategic geographic posture along major international shipping routes and sea lanes, remote fishing harbors and traditional fish landing sites remain high-risk zones for illegal maritime smuggling operations.
Inspector General Ruddi issued an explicit warning regarding the tactics employed by illicit syndicates seeking to exploit quiet coastal infrastructure, emphasizing that police vigilance alone is insufficient without localized intelligence from coastal inhabitants.
“Coastal areas and fishing ports require our collective, unyielding vigilance so they are not exploited by illegal actors attempting to smuggle prohibited goods, particularly illicit narcotics,” Inspector General Ruddi stated during the assembly.
The 1996 Armed Forces Academy (Akabri) graduate called directly upon the customary leadership of the Panglima Laot and local fishing fleets to operate as the front-line eyes and ears of law enforcement across regional waters.
“Fishermen and coastal residents should never hesitate to assist the police by providing immediate, credible information whenever suspicious activities, unidentified vessels, or unusual offshore rendezvous are observed near harbors or maritime routes,” he added.
Strengthening the Role of Customary Maritime Authorities
The engagement highlights the legal and social significance of the Panglima Laot in Aceh’s security architecture. As an ancient customary institution recognized under Aceh’s special autonomy laws, the Panglima Laot regulates customary sea laws, resolves maritime disputes among fishermen, and oversees coastal environmental preservation.
By formally integrating this traditional governance structure into institutional crime prevention frameworks, the Aceh Regional Police aim to establish an early detection network capable of neutralizing security threats before they reach inland communities.
Inspector General Ruddi reiterated that transparent collaboration between uniformed law enforcement and indigenous maritime leadership builds a resilient defensive barrier against smuggling, illegal fishing, and coastal lawlessness.
“Through clear communication and structured cooperation, potential security disruptions can be detected and prevented at an early stage. Every element of society, particularly our fishing communities, is expected to play an active role in creating a safe, stable, and conducive security environment across Aceh,” the Police Chief concluded.
Following the formal dialogue, the police leadership delegation inspected harbor facilities, reviewed local security measures at the auction site, and engaged directly with local deckhands to assess operational challenges facing the Aceh Jaya maritime fleet.
