Home Affairs Minister Reveals Acehnese Diaspora Disaster Aid Still Held Up by Customs
The head of the Task Force for the Acceleration of Post-Disaster Rehabilitation and Reconstruction in Sumatra, who also serves as Home Affairs Minister Tito Karnavian, revealed that disaster relief from the Acehnese diaspora in Malaysia is currently being held up. Tito said the aid has not yet been distributed as it has not received clearance from Customs and Excise.
Tito made the remarks during a meeting with House of Representatives (DPR) leaders at the parliamentary complex in Senayan, Jakarta, on Wednesday (18 February 2026). He sought guidance from the DPR regarding the aid shipment.
"There is currently aid from the Acehnese diaspora. We know that in Malaysia there are approximately 500,000 Acehnese citizens working there who maintain family ties," Tito said.
"In addition to helping their respective families with monetary assistance, they have also collected goods, particularly food supplies," he added.
Tito requested support from DPR leaders concerning the aid. He noted that the supplies had already been dispatched but remain stranded.
"The goods are ready and have been shipped from Port Klang in Kuala Lumpur, to be sent to the port in Lhokseumawe, called Krueng Geukueh Port. But they are currently still being held because Customs and Excise has not yet granted entry permission," he said.
Tito conveyed that President Prabowo Subianto had issued directives for the aid to be accepted, provided the shipment does not contain prohibited items.
"We conveyed to the President at the time that as long as it is not government-to-government, it should be accepted. Government-to-government aid must go through the Foreign Minister. This is not government-to-government — it is from the community there who have family ties and work in Malaysia," he explained.
"The President said it should be accepted as long as there are no prohibited items such as narcotics, firearms, and the like," he added.
Tito made the remarks during a meeting with House of Representatives (DPR) leaders at the parliamentary complex in Senayan, Jakarta, on Wednesday (18 February 2026). He sought guidance from the DPR regarding the aid shipment.
"There is currently aid from the Acehnese diaspora. We know that in Malaysia there are approximately 500,000 Acehnese citizens working there who maintain family ties," Tito said.
"In addition to helping their respective families with monetary assistance, they have also collected goods, particularly food supplies," he added.
Tito requested support from DPR leaders concerning the aid. He noted that the supplies had already been dispatched but remain stranded.
"The goods are ready and have been shipped from Port Klang in Kuala Lumpur, to be sent to the port in Lhokseumawe, called Krueng Geukueh Port. But they are currently still being held because Customs and Excise has not yet granted entry permission," he said.
Tito conveyed that President Prabowo Subianto had issued directives for the aid to be accepted, provided the shipment does not contain prohibited items.
"We conveyed to the President at the time that as long as it is not government-to-government, it should be accepted. Government-to-government aid must go through the Foreign Minister. This is not government-to-government — it is from the community there who have family ties and work in Malaysia," he explained.
"The President said it should be accepted as long as there are no prohibited items such as narcotics, firearms, and the like," he added.