By Ian McIntyre
THE PENANG – based Republic of Indonesia consulate held a familiarisation trip recently where media practitioners were introduced to the province of Acheh to showcase that the city was rapidly recovering from the mammoth tragedy of a tsunami.
It is part of the consulate’s efforts to showcase the entire Sumatra Island as part of the Indonesia – Malaysia – Thailand Growth Triangle, which essentially is a sub-growth area under the regional bloc of ASEAN – a composition of 10 nations in Southeast Asia.
Acheh is renowned in many ways historically but mostly for the great tsunami in 2004 which engulfed the entire capital and for becoming the first Indonesian provincial capital in 2014 to introduce the strict Syariah hudud penal code.
In Aceh, which is located in northern Sumatra, tsunami waves reached 167 feet (51 meters) and caused flooding up to three miles (five kilometers) inland.
But today, the consulate officials wanted to generate the impression that the capital of Banda Acheh is flourishing after the heartbreaking mass casualty event 20 years ago.
It was reported that the death count stood between 170,000 and 220,000 but due to the sheer magnitude of Mother Nature’s wrath, the actual number cannot be officially tagged even 20 years later.
According to a beauty pageant specialist and veteran travel writer, Francis Yip Hon Cheng, Acheh has finally found back its tourism “soul” 20 years later.
Much has changed since then.
Aceh has rebuilt itself and business is back as usual, said Yip in an interview.
“So, I took a trip to Aceh to see for myself if Aceh has truly found its lost soul and how responsive is the city to foreigners after the implementation of the Islamic Shariah law.”
Yip said that as a non-Muslim, his trip has opened his eyes to know more about the big tsunami but above all, the truth about Aceh.
Dubbed as “The Light of Asia”, Aceh upholds the noble values and sanctity of Islam.
It doesn’t sideline the minorities and is as welcoming as any city in Indonesia with warm friendly locals and diverse places of interest, he noted.
“In fact, there is a Chinatown, Peunayong which is inhibited by the Chinese for generations, reflecting the tolerance and respect of the diverse communities there.”
“My impression of Aceh as a peaceful city is personally drawn from my own experience. I carelessly left my bag containing valuables at the premises of Haji Keuchik Leumiek Mosque but thankfully, I found my bag back untouched after 30 minutes.”
According to him, the strict Syariah law which allows amputation of hands for theft was a strong enough deterrent there.
“For me, I rather go for a holiday in a place that gives me peace of mind, free from crime and the rat race, and Aceh is the perfect choice.”
A visit to Aceh will not be complete without taking a trip down memory lane to understand more about the 2004 tsunami.
The Tsunami Museum built in 2007 is to foster a symbol of strength and the resilience of the Acehnese.
A walk along the tunnel allows for a chilling experience with water dripping from the top like a tsunami wave.
If the tsunami experience is not enough, visit the mosques that miraculously survived the calamity.
The Rahmatullah Mosque is still standing strong although the surrounding houses, buildings and trees were all wiped off by the 30-metre-high waves.
Another mosque, Baiturrahman Grand Mosque built by the Dutch in 1881, the city’s landmark with seven domes and eight minarets was virtually unscathed.
Today, its architectural marvel makes the mosque a perfect place for selfies and renewing one’s faith.
Apart from the legacy of the tsunami, Aceh is ideal for a fantastic time under the sun, said Yip.
Sabang Island, a volcanic island surrounded by iridescent corals and marine life is popular among tourists for snorkeling and diving activities.
“I was lucky to capture dozens of dolphins turning the sea into a water playground. It reminded me of the movie Free Willy. Best of all, I could partake in the Sabang Marine Festival 2024 surfing, flyboarding, parachuting, cultural performances, boat parade, water skiing and many more activities.”
“Finally, I saw the Light of Asia and seen the truth. Aceh is safe, peaceful and has so much to offer to tourists. One thing is sure, I will be back again,” said Yip.
