Home Affairs Minister Proposes Extension of Aceh's Special Autonomy Funds for Post-Disaster Recovery

JAKARTA - The Minister of Home Affairs (Mendagri) Tito Karnavian has proposed that the special autonomy funds (otsus) for Aceh be extended again.

This proposal was put forward considering the region’s economic conditions and the ongoing needs for post-disaster recovery.

“Well, this could also serve as one of the drivers; in our view, there is a need to extend the otsus funds in Aceh, and if the state’s fiscal capacity allows, perhaps return it to 2 percent—that’s our suggestion,” Tito stated during a working meeting with Commission II of the House of Representatives (DPR RI) on Monday (13/4/2026).

“And if we look at the situation, especially with the disasters, we see it as quite rational,” he added.

Furthermore, Tito continued, Aceh has also proposed an increase in the amount of otsus funds, referring to the scheme applied in Papua.

“Yes, perhaps looking at Papua, which increased by 2.25 percent until 2040 or 41? And then they also hope for the extension of this otsus and for the amount, if it can’t be the same as Papua’s 2.25 percent, at least back to 2 percent. That’s the request from our friends there,” Tito revealed.

He emphasised that this situation is one of the main considerations in pushing for the extension of otsus funds for Aceh.

“Because there are so many bridges that need to be made permanent, roads that need to be made permanent which are currently temporary, and also educational facilities numbering more than 4,000 that were affected,” he said.

“Not to mention the housing issues for the community whose homes were lost or severely damaged—almost 36,000. And also the rivers; river normalisation for around 79 rivers that need to be dredged, and that’s extensive,” he added.

“Last week in Central Aceh, there was heavy rain and roads collapsed again, bridges were washed away—several of them. And two days ago in Pidie Jaya, there was flooding again; the regent reported to me that there was 50 cm to 80 cm of mud there,” he concluded.