Cut Nur Asikin was a prominent Acehnese woman, known for her outspokenness during the tumultuous period of conflict in Aceh. Her fiery speeches during the 1999 referendum (SU-MPR) earned her the moniker "Singa Podium" – the Lioness of the Podium. She fearlessly voiced the anxieties of the Acehnese people, expressing their outrage at the prolonged violence. Her powerful presence commanded attention; she was the woman who dared to address millions of Acehnese.
When martial law was declared in Aceh in 2003, Cut Nur Asikin once again found herself thrust into the spotlight. Three days into the imposition of martial law, she was arrested by state authorities at her own Hotel Rajawali. This followed the reported disappearance of several members of the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) from the hotel.
She was sentenced to 14 years in prison on charges of treason, spreading hostility towards the government, and inciting the population to hold a referendum. These actions led to her imprisonment in Lhoknga.
Tragically, the 2004 tsunami claimed her life. This Acehnese heroine was among the hundreds of thousands of victims of the devastating natural disaster. Her name faded from public memory; she never lived to see the benefits of the Helsinki Memorandum of Understanding, signed between the warring parties in mid-2005.
Irwandi Yusuf, the current Governor of Aceh, wrote about her during their time in prison (Irwandi in Keudah Prison, Cut Nur Asikin in Lhoknga Detention Center). They communicated frequently using smuggled mobile phones. Even as the tsunami approached, she confirmed to Irwandi that she was still considered a member of GAM by the Swedish leadership. She sensed Aceh's impending "freedom," but sadly, she did not live to witness it.
Cut Nur Asikin remains a powerful symbol of the strength and resilience of Acehnese women. Her legacy deserves to be remembered and celebrated. Her story serves as a reminder of the sacrifices made during the struggle for peace in Aceh.
