"We, the government, hear and understand the criticism, input and opinions expressed by the people," Karnavian said during a press conference at Halim Perdanakusuma Air Base in Jakarta on Friday.
White flags are widely recognized under international humanitarian law as a symbol of truce, often used in conflict situations to signal surrender or a desire to negotiate.
Addressing the symbolism, Karnavian said the central government has been making maximum efforts to evacuate victims and deliver urgently needed supplies following floods and landslides that struck Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra.
He acknowledged shortcomings in the response and cited difficult terrain and limited access as key challenges, while offering an apology for what some residents perceived as an inadequate response.
"As the government of Indonesia, it is our responsibility to continue working, overcome obstacles, improve performance and promptly meet the emergency needs of our brothers and sisters in Aceh, North Sumatra and West Sumatra," he said.
Karnavian's remarks followed reports of residents raising white flags in several disaster-hit areas in Aceh, including Aceh Tamiang, Bireuen, North Aceh, Pidie Jaya, and the provincial capital Banda Aceh.
Aceh Governor Muzakir Manaf earlier described the gesture as an effort by residents to attract national and international attention, rather than an expression of surrender or distrust toward the central government.
"I do not think the flags signify surrender. They are meant to draw attention," Manaf said during the handover of disaster relief from the Ministry of Agriculture and the National Food Agency in North Aceh on Thursday.
He also stressed that the central government continues to distribute aid and advance recovery efforts despite significant challenges.
"The central government is not idle. We are all working," the governor said.
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Translator: Walda M, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: Anton Santoso
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