"In the first batch, we will send 106,000 pieces of clothing to Aceh on Monday, followed by a second shipment of 100,000 pieces to North Sumatra, West Sumatra, and Aceh," Home Affairs Minister Tito Karnavian said at Halim Perdanakusuma Air Base in Jakarta on Friday.
Karnavian said the distribution has complied with legal procedures, following approval from Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa through the Directorate General of Customs and Excise.
"I would like to express my gratitude to the minister of finance, particularly the Customs and Excise Directorate General, as well as the Ministry of Trade for enabling a swift procurement process for disaster response purposes," he said.
He expressed hope that the clothing would help residents affected by floods and landslides that struck parts of Sumatra in late November following heavy rainfall.
The plan followed Karnavian's proposal at a cabinet plenary meeting chaired by President Prabowo Subianto on December 15 to distribute 125,000 pieces of non-exportable clothing to disaster victims.
He said the proposal sought special permits from the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Trade to allow companies to release export-reject garments for humanitarian purposes during emergencies.
According to Karnavian, two major garment companies operating in special economic zones have expressed readiness to supply suitable export-reject clothing to disaster-affected areas.
President Prabowo welcomed the initiative and approved the exemption of the clothing from value-added tax (VAT).
"You may exempt those items from VAT, but make sure that they are handled by the Ministry of Home Affairs and delivered to affected areas immediately," Prabowo said.
The National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) reported that as of December 19, floods and landslides in three Sumatra provinces had killed 1,072 people, with 186 others still missing since November 25.
The disasters damaged around 147,000 houses, 145 bridges, and 434 places of worship across 52 districts and cities.
Related news: Indonesia mobilizes $3.58 billion for Sumatra floods, 1,072 dead
Related news: Karnavian clarifies claims of underestimating Malaysian aid to Aceh
Translator: Walda M, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: Anton Santoso
Copyright © ANTARA 2025
