Strengthening Relations with Aceh, Mr Mohd Fahmi Aliman Launches Film "Aceh, Culture and Connection"
Original article from https://modusaceh.co/news/perkuat-hubungan-dengan-aceh-walikota-singapore-luncurkan-film-aceh-culture-and-connection/index.html.
MODUSACEH.CO, Banda Aceh | Mr Mohd Fahmi Aliman, officially launched the documentary film “Aceh, Culture, and Connection.” The film is a collaboration between the Wali Nanggroe Institute (Lembaga Wali Nanggroe) and the Singapore Ministry of Foreign Affairs, with support from the Singapore Ministry of Culture, Community, and Youth (MCCY).
Besides strengthening ties between Aceh and Singapore, the film also commemorates 20 years of peace in Aceh, which has not only left a lasting legacy but also opened up new opportunities for cross-border collaboration.
The film screening took place in the Library Theater, Aceh Regional Library Building, in Banda Aceh, on Friday, August 22, 2025.
The film highlights the historical journey, culture, and emotional relationship between Aceh and Singapore, which has been closely intertwined, especially since the rehabilitation period after the 2004 tsunami.
Wali Nanggroe, Tgk Malik Mahmud Al-Haythar, as the main narrator in this film, tells the story of Aceh’s resilience in overcoming long conflicts and maintaining peace for more than 20 years.
After the screening of the film, Mohd Fahmi revealed that the film was not just documentation, but also a bridge to introduce Aceh’s culture, history, and potential to the Singaporean people, especially the younger generation.
“Our motivation is to bring Aceh closer to Singapore. Through this film, children in Singapore can learn about Aceh, learn about the Wali Nanggroe (National Guardians), and understand the cultural and historical values of Aceh,” he said.
He said this work began with a meeting with the Wali Nanggroe last year. The film took approximately five to eight months to complete.
Not only documentary films, after this, said Fahmi, his party plans to open a student and cultural exchange program between Aceh and Singapore to strengthen relations between the two regions.
In addition to education and culture, Fahmi mentioned several future collaborative agendas, including civil service training through the Singapore Cooperation Program, waste and water management with Australian partners, and development of Aceh’s tourism sector.
“We want to revive Aceh’s icons and heroes through technology, so that young people in Aceh and Singapore can learn history in a more engaging way,” he said.
On the other hand, according to audience testimonials, the Head of the Aceh Education Office, Martunis, believes the film opens up opportunities for cross-generational learning between Aceh and Singapore.
Meanwhile, the Mayor of Banda Aceh, Illiza Sa’aduddin Djamal, said that the documentary was a reminder of the importance of the Aceh-Singapore brotherhood and a symbol of the peace that has been maintained for two decades.***