Simeulue Regency Explained

Simeulue Regency
Native Name:Kabupaten Simeulue
Settlement Type:Regency
Coordinates:2.5833°N 101°W
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Name: Indonesia
Subdivision Type1:Region
Subdivision Name1:Sumatra
Subdivision Type2:Province
Established Title:Established
Established Date:1999
Seat Type:Capital
Seat:Sinabang
Leader Title:Regent
Leader Name:Erly Hasyim
Leader Title1:Vice Regent
Leader Name1:Afridawati
Unit Pref:Metric
Area Total Km2:1838.1
Population Total:97118
Population As Of:mid 2023 estimate
Population Density Km2:auto
Population Note:[1]
Timezone1:IWST
Utc Offset1:+7
Area Code Type:Area code
Area Code:(+62) 650
Pushpin Map:Indonesia_Sumatra North#Indonesia_Sumatra#Indonesia
Pushpin Map Caption:Location in Northern Sumatra##Location in Sumatra##Location in Indonesia

Simeulue Regency (Indonesian: Kabupaten Simeulue) is a regency in the Aceh special region of Indonesia. It occupies the whole island of Simeulue (Pulau Simeulue), 150 km off the west coast of Sumatra, with an area of 1838.1km2. It had a population of 80,674 at the 2010 census[2] and 92,865 at the 2020 census;[3] the official estimate as at mid 2023 was 97,118 (comprising 49,780 males and 47,338 females).[4]

With its isolated geographic location and its linguistic difference from mainland Aceh, Simeulue has not been affected by the turmoil of conflicts in mainland Aceh between the Indonesian government and the Free Aceh Movement (GAM). There has been no major GAM activity on the island.

Administration

Simeulue was originally a part of West Aceh Regency but was split off on 4 October 1999 to become its own regency with the hope that the island's development would improve. The seat of the regency is the town of Sinabang, situated on a bay (Laut Sinabang) on the northeast coast of the island.

The island was badly affected by the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and the subsequent tsunami, whose epicentre was directly north of the island, and between the island and the mainland of Sumatra.

The regency was divided at 2010 into eight districts (kecamatan), but two additional districts (Teupah Tengah and Simeulue Cut) were created in 2012. All are listed below with their areas and their populations at the 2010 census[5] and 2020 census,[6] together with the official estimates as at mid 2023.[7] The table also includes the locations of the district administrative centres, the number of villages (kampong) and the number of offshore islands (of which just two are inhabited) in each district, and its post code.

Kode
Wilayah
Name of
District
(kecamatan)
Area
in
km2
Pop'n
census
2010
Pop'n
census
2020
Pop'n
estimate
mid 2023
Admin
centre
No.
of
villages
No. of
offshore
islands
Post
code
11.09.07 Teupah Selatan
(South Teupah)
222.24 8,422 9,030 9,444 Labuhan Bajau193323898
11.09.04 Simeulue Timur
(East Simeulue)
175.97 28,931 27,569 28,830 Sinabang1746 (a)23891
11.09.03 Teupah Barat
(West Teupah)
146.73 7,269 8,011 8,378 Salur185 (b)23897
11.09.09 Teupah Tengah
(Central Teupah)
83.70 (c) 6,593 6,895 Lasikin12223899
11.09.01 Simeulue Tengah
(Central Simeulue)
112.48 9,010 7,312 7,647 Kampung Aie16023894
11.09.05 Teluk Dalam
(Dalam Bay)
224.68 4,914 5,459 5,709 Salare-e102423890
11.09.10 35.40 (d) 3,382 3,537 Kuta Padang8123895
11.09.02 198.96 7,625 8,818 9,222 Nasreuhe16123896
11.09.06 Simeulue Barat
(West Simeulue)
446.07 10,024 11,763 12,302 Sibigo142323892
11.09.08 191.87 4,479 4,928 5,154 Langi81223893
Totals 1,838.10 80,674 92,865 97,118 Sinabang 138 147

Notes: (a) of which the island of Pulau Siumat is inhabited. (b) of which the island of Pulau Teupah is inhabited.
(c) The 2010 population of the Teupah Tengah District is included in the figure for the Simeulue Timur District, from which it was cut out in 2012.
(d) The 2010 population of the Simeulue Cut District is included in the figure for the Simeulue Tengah District, from which it was cut out in 2012.

Villages

Administrative villages (desa) listed for each district:[8]

District Villages
Teupah Selatan Alus Alus, Ana Ao, Badegong, Batu Ralang, Blang Sebel, Kebun Baru, Labuhan Bajau, Labuhan Bakti, Labuhan Jaya, Lataling, Latiung, Pasir Tinggi, Pulau Bangkalak (Pulau Bengkalak), Seuneubok, Suak Lamatan, Trans Baru, Trans Jernge, Trans Meranti (Trans Maranti), Ulul Mayang (Manyang)
Simeulue Timur (Simeuleu Timur) Air Dingin, Air Pinang, Amaiteng Mulia, Ameria Bahagia, Ganting, Kota Batu, Kuala Makmur, Linggi, Lugu, Pulau Siumat, Sefoyan, Sinabang, Suak Buluh, Suka Jaya, Suka Karya, Suka Maju, Ujung Tinggi
Teupah Barat Angkeo, Awe Kecil, Awe Seubal, Bunon, Inor, Laayon, Lantik, Laubang (Leubang), Leubang Hulu, Maudil, Naibos, Nancala, Pulau Teupah, Salur, Salur Lasengalu, Salur Latun, Silengas, Sital
Teupah Tengah Abail, Batu-Batu, Busung Indah, Kahad (Kahat), Labuah, Lanting, Lasikin, Matanurung (Matan Urung), Nancawa, Simpang Abail, Situbuk, Sua-Sua
Simeulue Tengah (Simeuleu Tengah) Dihit, Kampung Aie, Kuta Baru (Kuta Batu), Lakubang, Lamayang, Lambaya, Latitik, Lauree (Laure-e), Leuke (Lauke), Luan Sorip, Putra Jaya, Sebbe, Situfa Jaya, Suak Baru, Wel Wel, Wellang Kum (Wel Langkom)
Teluk Dalam Babussalam, Bulu Hadik, Gunung Putih, Kuala Bakti, Kuala Baru, Luan Balu, Lugu Sek Bahak (Sebahak), Muara Aman, Sambai (Sambay), Tanjung Raya
Simeulue Cut Amarabu, Borengan, Bubuhan, Kuta Inang, Kuta Padang, Latak Ayah, Sibuluh, Ujung Pandang / Padang
Salang Along (Along Jaya), Bunga, Ganang Pusako, Jaya Baru, Karya Bakti, Kenangan Jaya, Lalla Bahagia, Meunafa (Meunafah), Mutiara, Nasreuhe, Padang Unoi, Panton Lawe, Suak Manang, Tameng, Tamon Jaya (Tamon), Ujung Salang
Simeulue Barat (Simeuleu Barat) Amabaan, Babul Makmur, Batu Ragi, Lamamek, Layabaung, Lhok Bikhau (Lhok Bikhao), Lhok Makmur, Malasin, Miteum, Sanggiran, Sembilan, Sigulai, Sinar Bahagia, Ujung Harapan
Alapan (Alafan) Lafakha, Lamerem, Langi, Lewak, Lhok Dalam, Lhok Pauh (Lhok Paoh), Lubuk Baik, Serafon

Demographics

The people of Simeulue are similar to the people in the neighboring Nias Island, speaking 3 languages (Devayan, Sigulai and Leukon) which are distinctly different from the languages spoken in mainland Aceh.[9] The vast majority (99.7% in 2020) of the people of Simeulue are Muslim.

Earthquakes

Simeulue was close to the epicenter of the 9.3 magnitude 26 December 2004 earthquake, but loss of life was surprisingly low, mainly because the people are familiar with earthquakes and tsunamis in this seismically active region and so knew to leave the coast after the earthquake. A major earthquake and tsunami hit Simeulue in 1907, killing many of its inhabitants. Many died when they rushed to the beach after seeing the water recede, exposing the coral and fish. They went to collect the fish, not realizing that the water would come back. Those who survived told the story of the 1907 semong, the local word for tsunami, to their children. It is largely because of this oral history that many in Simeulue say that they knew what to do when the 26 December 2004 earthquake and tsunami struck.[10] [11] In the fishing village of Kariya Vhapi on the NW shore of Simuelue, the 26 December 2004 tsunami was approximately 2 m high when it went through the village completely destroying all buildings.[12]

On 28 March 2005 an 8.7 magnitude stuck with its epicenter just off the south end of Simeulue Island.[13] During the earthquake, Simeulue rose at least six feet on the western coast; this left the flat top of its coral reefs above high tide level leaving it dry and dead. On the east coast, the land was submerged, seawater flooding fields and settlements.[14] At the village of Kariya Vhapi the 28 March 2005 tsunami was smaller than the one the previous December and did not damage the village; however it did overtop a 3.2 m high beach berm. In Sinabang the 28 March 2005 earthquake and subsequent fire destroyed 50 to 60 percent of the downtown area and significantly damaged the port facility. At Sinabang the uplift was less than further north being only 40 cm.

On 20 February 2008 at 03:08 PM local time, Simeulue suffered a 7.4 magnitude earthquake.[15]

On 11 April 2012 at 04:38 PM local time, Simeulue suffered an 8.6 magnitude earthquake.[16]

Environment

Much of the north-western half of the island has been recognised as an Important Bird Area (IBA) by BirdLife International. It contains forested hills up to an elevation of 576 m, as well as two freshwater lakes. The Simeulue scops-owl ius endemic.[17]

Notes and References

  1. Badan Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 28 February 2024, Kabupaten Simeulue Dalam Angka 2024 (Katalog-BPS 1102001.1109)
  2. Biro Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 2011.
  3. Badan Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 2021.
  4. Badan Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 28 February 2024, Kabupaten Simeulue Dalam Angka 2024 (Katalog-BPS 1102001.1109)
  5. Biro Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 2011.
  6. Badan Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 2021.
  7. Badan Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 28 February 2024, Kabupaten Simeulue Dalam Angka 2024 (Katalog-BPS 1102001.1109)
  8. Web site: Daftar Desa & Kelurahan di Kabupaten Simeulue . Kode Pos Indonesia . www.nomor.net . 2020 . 2020-02-25 . 2020-08-03 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200803210845/https://www.nomor.net/_kodepos.php?_i=desa-kodepos&sby=010000&daerah=Kab.&jobs=Kepulauan%20Mentawai . live .
  9. Book: BPS Kabupaten Simeulue. Simeulue Dalam Angka 2012. 2003. BadanPusatStatistik.Com. 0-0100-0021-6.
  10. Recognizing Indigenous Knowledge for Disaster Management: Smong, Early Warning System from Simeulue Island, Aceh . Procedia Environmental Sciences . 2014 . 20 . 573–582 . 10.1016/j.proenv.2014.03.070 . Syafwina . free .
  11. McAdoo . Brian G. . Dengler . Lori . Prasetya . Gegar . Titov . Vasily . Smong : How an Oral History Saved Thousands on Indonesia's Simeulue Island during the December 2004 and March 2005 Tsunamis . Earthquake Spectra . June 2006 . 22 . 3_suppl . 661–669 . 10.1193/1.2204966 . 111256838 .
  12. Web site: 12 April 2005 . USGS Scientists in Sumatra Studying Recent Tsunamis . United States Geological Survey (USGS) – Western Coastal and Marine Geology (WCMG) report . 20 February 2008 . 16 July 2011 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110716044717/http://walrus.wr.usgs.gov/news/reportsleg1.html . live .
  13. Web site: Gibbons, Helen (April 2005) "Second Tsunami Causes Damage in Indonesia—USGS Scientists Post Observations on the World Wide Web" United States Geological Survey . 2008-02-20 . 2016-12-31 . https://web.archive.org/web/20161231005557/https://soundwaves.usgs.gov///2005/04/index.html . live .
  14. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/from_our_own_correspondent/6435979.stm Saved by tsunami folklore
  15. Web site: Poster of the Simeulue, Indonesia Earthquake of 20 February 2008 – Magnitude 7.4 . USGS – Earthquake Hazards Program . 1 January 2017 . 1 January 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170101231855/https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eqarchives/poster/2008/20080220.php . live . USGS Shakemap .
  16. Web site: 11 April 2012 . M 8.6 – off the west coast of northern Sumatra . USGS – Earthquake Hazards Program . 1 January 2017 . 22 December 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20161222112420/http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eventpage/official20120411083836720_20#executive . live .
  17. Web site: Pulau Simeulue. . 2024. BirdLife Data Zone. BirdLife International. 2024-08-20.