Sultan Abdurrahman, Jakarta – Governor of Aceh, Muzakir Manaf, confirmed that the region is receptive to foreign assistance in the aftermath of the flash floods and landslides that struck last November, directly contrasting the central government's earlier position on international relief.
"Aceh Province has never closed its doors to foreign assistance," Muzakir stated, addressing the issue publicly.
He denied allegations that the Aceh government was obstructing the process of obtaining permission for international aid. "Why would they help us if we make it difficult for them? That would be foolish," the former commander of the Free Aceh Movement said, as quoted from a video statement posted on his Instagram account (@muzakirmanaf1964) on Monday, December 8, 2025.
Muzakir's statement followed a closed meeting with several ministers and governors at the integrated disaster handling command post at Sultan Iskandar Muda Airbase in Aceh on Sunday night, December 7, 2025. Following the discussions, Muzakir explained that some international aid had already arrived.
According to the Governor, foreign assistance is entirely permissible in the post-disaster phase. He confirmed there are no restrictions on receiving aid from overseas, whether from non-profit organizations or foreign governments, for the affected victims.
Muzakir specifically noted that aid had been received in Aceh following the widespread floods and landslides in late November, including medical assistance and medication from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. "Everything has been distributed, and there is even an insufficiency [of supplies]," he said.
Central government's earlier stance
The Governor's welcome to foreign aid stands in stark contrast to the central government's earlier stance, which has notably refrained from declaring the situation a national disaster emergency, a move that would automatically open the door for large-scale international humanitarian intervention.
State Secretary Minister Prasetyo Hadi stated on Wednesday, December 3, 2025, that the government was still confident in its capability to manage all disaster issues across Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra, thereby signaling a preference to handle the crisis domestically.
"We feel that the government is still capable of addressing all the issues we are facing," Prasetyo said at Halim Perdanakusuma Airbase in Jakarta.
The Minister, a Gerindra politician, acknowledged that many countries had expressed concern and a willingness to provide aid. However, he maintained the government's official position, citing adequate supplies of food and fuel.
Prasetyo further claimed that a ready-to-use allocation of Rp500 billion in the state budget was available for financing disaster management this year, which includes emergency methods like "air drops because it is in line with the conditions of the disaster in the field."
– Hendrik Yaputra contributed to the report.
Source: https://en.tempo.co/read/2071895/aceh-welcomes-foreign-aid-for-disaster-relief-effort