Banda Aceh | A solemn and spirited atmosphere enveloped the summit of Mount Leuser, the highest peak in Aceh Province, as the Mount Leuser Expedition Team successfully raised a 7.9-meter-long Indonesian flag on Sunday, June 22, 2025. The event was part of a series of activities commemorating the 79th Bhayangkara Day, initiated by the Aceh Regional Police (Polda Aceh), symbolizing patriotism and deep concern for Indonesia’s natural heritage—particularly the Leuser Ecosystem Area, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
At the coordinates 47 N 297152 UTM 415412, the flag-raising ceremony was carried out simultaneously by the joint expedition team, which consisted of personnel from Polda Aceh, nature lover communities, student nature organizations (Mapala) from various universities, community leaders, and professional guides. The act of raising the red-and-white flag beneath the skies of Leuser was rich in meaning, serving as a collective statement of commitment to safeguarding Indonesia’s ecological sovereignty.
Aceh Police Chief Inspector General Dr. Achmad Kartiko, through Police Public Relations Head Commissioner Joko Krisdiyanto, stated that the expedition was more than just a physical journey to conquer the region’s highest summit. It was a moral mission to reaffirm nationalism, raise environmental awareness, and uphold the nation’s legacy. The flag itself, measuring 7.9 meters, symbolized the age of the Bhayangkara Corps and underscored the Indonesian Police’s unwavering presence from the ocean floor to the highest peaks in defending the nation.
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Joko explained that the entire expedition team is scheduled to return safely to the Polda Aceh Mobile Brigade Company 4C Headquarters on Monday, June 30, 2025. Upon their return, the team will be welcomed with an internal thanksgiving ceremony, a screening of the expedition’s documentation, and the presentation of certificates of appreciation to participants who demonstrated exceptional dedication and spirit throughout the journey. He also relayed the heartfelt gratitude of the Aceh Police Chief to all parties who supported the successful execution of this expedition.
According to Joko, this expedition is planned to become an annual agenda for Polda Aceh as part of future Bhayangkara Day celebrations. Beyond paying tribute to the noble duties of the police in upholding security and order, it also serves as a constant reminder of the collective responsibility to protect the environment as a moral and humanitarian duty. He emphasized that Mount Leuser is not just the region’s highest geographical point—it is a powerful symbol in the struggle to preserve ecosystems that sustain millions of lives.
Mount Leuser and its surrounding areas serve as critical habitats for numerous endangered and endemic species, including the Sumatran orangutan, Sumatran rhinoceros, Sumatran tiger, and elephants. The region is among the last strongholds of Indonesia’s immense biodiversity and has earned global recognition as one of the most biologically diverse areas on Earth. Protecting Leuser, therefore, means protecting the future of the nation’s generations.
Joko stressed that this expedition serves as concrete proof that the police force is not only a guardian of law and order but also a front-line defender of the nation’s ecological balance. He called on all layers of society to join in building collective environmental awareness. In his view, environmental sustainability and national security are two inseparable components of Indonesia’s long-term survival.
The raising of the Indonesian flag at Mount Leuser’s summit stands as a testament to the undying spirit of nationalism and patriotism, undeterred by harsh terrain or extreme weather. Despite the physical challenges, the participants remained steadfast in their mission, delivering a strong message that wherever they may be, every citizen has a role in safeguarding Indonesia—geographically, ecologically, and ideologically.
Through this expedition, the spirit of “Nature-Loving Police” is being rekindled. In his closing statement, Joko expressed hope that this initiative would inspire other institutions and members of the public to take an active role in environmental preservation. He concluded by affirming that protecting nature is a form of protecting civilization itself, and preserving Leuser means safeguarding the heart of Sumatra’s ecosystem for the sustainable future of the Indonesian people.
Reporter: Abdiansyah