Purbaya Addresses Aceh Diaspora Disaster Aid Held Up by Customs Permits

Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa has spoken on the matter of disaster relief from the Acehnese diaspora in Malaysia that has been held up by permits from the Directorate General of Customs and Excise. Purbaya assured that as long as the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) provides certification, the aid will be released.

“Yes, as long as there is certification from BNPB, we can release it. So if BNPB states that these goods are for disaster relief, Customs will release them,” Purbaya said during a meeting with House of Representatives leaders at the parliamentary complex in Senayan, Jakarta, on Wednesday (18 February 2026).

Home Affairs Minister Tito Karnavian also stated that his ministry had coordinated with BNPB regarding the aid. The relief goods will be received and distributed by BNPB.

“If I may, we have already coordinated with BNPB. BNPB will receive the goods and BNPB will also distribute them,” Tito said.

Meanwhile, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Sufmi Dasco Ahmad urged that the disaster aid from the Acehnese diaspora be allowed to enter Indonesia without being obstructed by bureaucratic processes. Dasco called on the government to open access for the relief shipment.

Dasco argued that since the shipment would only be made once and is humanitarian in nature, the government could grant a dispensation. He requested that the State Secretary Minister and the Finance Minister coordinate with the Directorate General of Customs and Excise to resolve the permit process promptly.

“The goods have already been purchased, they just need to be shipped, and it is only a one-off. I think we can grant a dispensation because it is just once, rather than having to go through the trouble of converting it back to cash and purchasing again,” Dasco said.

“The State Secretary Minister and the Finance Minister can coordinate with the Director General of Customs and Excise. We have heard from the Agriculture Minister, because this is a one-off donation and the quantity is not disruptive. I think, Home Affairs Minister, we can realise this as soon as possible so that these goods can enter the country and be closely supervised as they go directly to evacuation centres, in time for the fasting month and Eid al-Fitr,” he added.