“The ministry has dispatched its special inspectorate unit to monitor the performance of regional leaders,” Sugiarto said on the sidelines of the 2025 Indonesia Sports Summit at the Indonesia Arena on Saturday.
He noted that the ministry could impose sanctions for administrative violations, procedural lapses, or inadequate performance by local officials responsible for managing disaster response in the affected provinces of Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra.
Sugiarto’s remarks come amid public criticism of Mirwan, the district head of South Aceh, who traveled to Mecca for a pilgrimage while his district was dealing with widespread flooding.
Home Affairs Ministry spokesperson Benni Irwan said Minister Tito Karnavian personally contacted Mirwan and learned that the district head had departed without the required approval from either the provincial governor or the minister.
A ministry team has been sent to Aceh to question Mirwan upon his return on December 7 and to determine whether he breached administrative procedures or legal obligations. Irwan said the ministry regretted Mirwan’s decision to leave the country during a major emergency.
He underscored the need for local leaders to remain on the ground during crises to ensure rapid response and effective coordination. “Regional heads must be with their communities,” he said.
In response, South Aceh authorities defended the district head’s departure, saying he left only after conditions had stabilized.
“The district head and his wife departed after the overall situation in South Aceh had improved and disaster victims had been properly assisted,” acting regional secretary Diva Samudra Putra said on Friday.
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Translator: Fajar Satriyo, Nabil Ihsan
Editor: Aditya Eko Sigit Wicaksono
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