Smart Political Communication Unravels The Dispute Over Four Islands

ANTARA/Andi Firdaus

Smart Political Communication Unravels The Dispute Over Four Islands

Friday, 20 Jun 2025

President Prabowo Subianto has once again demonstrated his political communication skills by resolving the administrative dispute over four islands -- Pulau Panjang, Lipan, Mangkir Gadang, and Mangkir Ketek -- on the Aceh-North Sumatra border.

By relying on historical documents and a transparent approach, Prabowo ensured that the islands were part of Aceh.

This political statement also strengthened the narrative of unity within the framework of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia (NKRI). This step not only reduced administrative and bureaucratic conflicts, but also illustrated a solid political communication strategy.

In a virtual limited meeting, Prabowo praised his team for successfully unearthing a key document: a historical agreement between former Aceh Governor Ibrahim Hasan and North Sumatra Governor Raja Inal Siregar.

According to British political communication expert Pippa Norris, this method is a characteristic of a modern transformational era leader, who uses communication to build team cohesion through a shared vision and morale building, by motivating and appreciating the team to work quickly and in a coordinated manner.

Prabowo demonstrated his ability to orchestrate organizations within the authority and synergy between institutions. The President's order to immediately announce the findings of the key documents to the public shows an awareness of the importance of transparency.

As stated by communication expert Jürgen Habermas in The Theory of Communicative Action, open public communication is the key to political legitimacy.

By prioritizing transparency, Prabowo not only prevents wild speculation that can trigger instability, but also builds public trust in his government. This approach strengthens his image as a responsive leader who is oriented towards the public interest.