Home Affairs Minister: Diaspora Aid from Malaysia for Disaster Victims Held Up at Customs
Home Affairs Minister Muhammad Tito Karnavian has disclosed that aid from the diaspora in Malaysia intended for disaster victims in Sumatra is being held up at Customs. According to Tito, the aid was collected by Acehnese citizens currently residing in Malaysia as a form of support for victims of the floods and landslides that struck at the end of November 2025.
Tito said the diaspora aid supplies were ready to be shipped to Krueng Geukueh Port in Lhokseumawe, Aceh, but the process has stalled at the local Customs office. "It is still being held because Customs has not yet granted permission for entry," he said during a disaster response meeting at the House of Representatives complex in Jakarta on Wednesday, 18 February 2026.
In his presentation, Tito explained that the aid is predominantly foodstuffs and other essential goods. The breakdown includes 3,000 litres of cooking oil, 3,000 kilogrammes of palm oil, 10,000 boxes of mineral water, 5,000 boxes of ready-to-eat meals, 3,000 sacks of new clothing, 3,500 copies of the Quran, and 3,270 toilet units.
According to Tito, the diaspora also collected cash donations for disaster victims in addition to these goods. The former National Police chief said he had reported the matter of the Malaysian diaspora aid to President Prabowo Subianto.
He emphasised that as long as the aid does not originate from the Malaysian government or constitute a government-to-government arrangement, it can be accepted. Tito confirmed that the held-up aid comes from the Acehnese community now living in Sabah.
He therefore stressed that the aid should be granted clearance for distribution to the people of Aceh. "The President has conveyed that it should be accepted, provided there are no prohibited items such as narcotics, firearms, and the like," said Tito.
Tito then sought support from House of Representatives leaders to ensure the aid could be delivered to its intended recipients. Upon hearing the issue, Deputy House Speaker Sufmi Dasco Ahmad said that given the type and quantity of the aid, it should not be problematic.
Dasco urged State Secretary Minister Prasetyo Hadi and Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadhewa to coordinate with the Directorate General of Customs and Excise. The Gerindra Party politician also affirmed to Agriculture Minister Andi Amran Sulaiman that the aid could be accepted as it does not contain rice.
Furthermore, Dasco suggested that the diaspora aid could be granted expedited clearance so it can be received by disaster victims in time for the start of Ramadan 2026.
"Perhaps we can expedite this so the goods can enter and be directly supervised by the police to ensure they are not commercialised. This is purely in the spirit of welcoming the fasting month and Eid al-Fitr," said Dasco.
Tito said the diaspora aid supplies were ready to be shipped to Krueng Geukueh Port in Lhokseumawe, Aceh, but the process has stalled at the local Customs office. "It is still being held because Customs has not yet granted permission for entry," he said during a disaster response meeting at the House of Representatives complex in Jakarta on Wednesday, 18 February 2026.
In his presentation, Tito explained that the aid is predominantly foodstuffs and other essential goods. The breakdown includes 3,000 litres of cooking oil, 3,000 kilogrammes of palm oil, 10,000 boxes of mineral water, 5,000 boxes of ready-to-eat meals, 3,000 sacks of new clothing, 3,500 copies of the Quran, and 3,270 toilet units.
According to Tito, the diaspora also collected cash donations for disaster victims in addition to these goods. The former National Police chief said he had reported the matter of the Malaysian diaspora aid to President Prabowo Subianto.
He emphasised that as long as the aid does not originate from the Malaysian government or constitute a government-to-government arrangement, it can be accepted. Tito confirmed that the held-up aid comes from the Acehnese community now living in Sabah.
He therefore stressed that the aid should be granted clearance for distribution to the people of Aceh. "The President has conveyed that it should be accepted, provided there are no prohibited items such as narcotics, firearms, and the like," said Tito.
Tito then sought support from House of Representatives leaders to ensure the aid could be delivered to its intended recipients. Upon hearing the issue, Deputy House Speaker Sufmi Dasco Ahmad said that given the type and quantity of the aid, it should not be problematic.
Dasco urged State Secretary Minister Prasetyo Hadi and Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadhewa to coordinate with the Directorate General of Customs and Excise. The Gerindra Party politician also affirmed to Agriculture Minister Andi Amran Sulaiman that the aid could be accepted as it does not contain rice.
Furthermore, Dasco suggested that the diaspora aid could be granted expedited clearance so it can be received by disaster victims in time for the start of Ramadan 2026.
"Perhaps we can expedite this so the goods can enter and be directly supervised by the police to ensure they are not commercialised. This is purely in the spirit of welcoming the fasting month and Eid al-Fitr," said Dasco.