The Ministry of Home Affairs (Kemendagri) has issued a stern circular prohibiting all regional heads from traveling abroad until January 15, 2026. This significant directive comes in the wake of the highly publicized case involving Mirwan MS, the Regent of South Aceh, who faced a three-month temporary suspension for abandoning his region during a critical period of floods and landslides.
“The government earnestly hopes that such incidents will not recur. Considering current weather forecasts, Indonesia is still expected to experience quite intense rainfall,” stated Minister Tito Karnavian during a press conference held at the Kemendagri office in Jakarta on Tuesday (December 9).
Minister Tito urged all regional heads and their deputies to adopt a more serious approach to managing disaster seasons within their respective jurisdictions. He specifically instructed them to remain present in their areas, ensuring that disaster management efforts are carried out effectively. “It is crucial for them to be truly on standby, especially those in regions susceptible to natural disasters,” he emphasized.
Tito further elaborated that the absence of a regional head during an emergency could severely disrupt vital coordination and significantly impede on-the-ground decision-making processes. He highlighted that without direct leadership approval, subordinate government structures could lose direction, hindering the swift execution of many critical decisions.
He also reminded these leaders that they chair the Regional Leadership Communication Forum (Forkopimda), a crucial body for local governance. “Therefore, fellow regional heads, do not leave your posts; attend to the communities affected by disasters,” Tito urged.
Prior to this overarching directive, Kemendagri had already imposed sanctions on South Aceh Regent Mirwan MS, resulting in his three-month temporary suspension. Mirwan was found to have violated regulations by departing his region while it was under a state of disaster emergency.
Minister Tito Karnavian confirmed the issuance of an official Decree (SK) detailing the temporary removal of Mirwan MS from his position as Regent of South Aceh. This sanction is effective from December 9, 2025, to March 9, 2026. Concurrently, Tito also issued a follow-up Decree appointing Baital Mukadis, the Deputy Regent of South Aceh, as the Acting (Plt) Regent.
During his period of suspension, Mirwan MS is mandated to undergo an internship and participate in development programs across several Kemendagri work units, including the Directorate General of Regional Administration Development. This aims to provide a period of reflection and re-education on leadership responsibilities.
The regulations governing sanctions for regional heads who travel abroad without official permission are clearly outlined in Article 77 paragraph 2 of Law No. 23 Year 2014 concerning Regional Government. This crucial provision stipulates that any regional head or deputy regional head who undertakes international travel without proper authorization will face a mandatory three-month temporary suspension.
