Teungku Ilyas Leube was born in Kenawat, Laut Tawar, Central Aceh, around 1920 or 1923, and was killed in Jeunieb, Bireuen, in 1982 when RPKAD troops surrounded his hideout. He studied at the Bireuen Normal School and a law school in Banda Aceh, was active in PUSA, served as special staff to Daud Beureueh when he was Military Governor of Aceh and Tanah Karo, and became a DI/TII figure. In the Aceh Merdeka structure proclaimed in 1976 he was Minister of Justice, a member of the Shura Council and later its second Prime Minister (c. 1980–1982).