Erlangga Djumana – Vice President Jusuf Kalla announced on 29 December that the civil emergency status has been lifted in Aceh, following the virtual breakdown of the local government in the province, as a result of the earthquake and tsunamis that have struck the region since 26 December.

He said: "There's no longer a civil emergency, there's no longer a governor. The governance of the region is now in the hands of the central government," he announced at a press conference in his office in Jakarta on Wednesday.

However, he said, although the civil emergency has been lifted, only those involved in humanitarian programmes and rehabilitation activities will be permitted to enter the region. "Doctors, engineers, operators, technicians and social workers will be allowed to enter. Political activities, No! Social activities, okay", he said.