“This remains a big question as to why the KEL was removed. Regulations clearly state that the KEL is a national strategic area, both in Law Number 11 of 2006 concerning the Government of Aceh and the National Spatial Planning Law,” HAkA Secretary Badrul Irfan told Bithe.co on Sunday (September 21, 2025).

BITHE.co – The Aceh Natural Forest and Environment Foundation (HAkA) has highlighted the omission of the Leuser Ecosystem Area (KEL) from the draft Aceh Regional Spatial Plan (RTRW) for 2025, which is currently under revision. “This remains a major question as to why the KEL was omitted. The regulations clearly state that the KEL is a national strategic area, both in Law Number 11 of 2006 concerning the Government of Aceh and the National Spatial Planning Law,” HAkA Secretary Badrul Irfan told Bithe.co on Sunday (September 21, 2025).

Badrul stated that this was not the first time the KEL had been missing from Aceh’s spatial planning documents. In 2013, the KEL was also excluded from Aceh’s RTRW (Regional Spatial Plan), until the Ministry of Home Affairs finally conducted an evaluation and confirmed that it was mandatory to include it.

“In fact, according to regulations, KEL has been recognized as a national strategic area (KSN),” said Badrul.

This article has been published previously and read in full at: Bithe.co