Reflecting On The Behavior Of The South Aceh Regent: Public Officials Must Prioritize Empathy And Ethics

JAKARTA - South Aceh Regent Mirwan MS who performs Umrah when his people are affected by a disaster is considered to have broken his oath to serve the nation.

In the midst of flash floods and landslides that hit Aceh, West Sumatra, and North Sumatra, South Aceh Regent Mirwan MS caught the public's attention. How not, in the midst of his people who are facing disasters, he and his family chose to go Umrah on December 3, 2025.

Whereas previously, he was one of four regional heads who gave up handling disasters. Apart from Mirwan, there is North Aceh Regent Ismail A. Jalil. Pidie Jaya Regent Sibral Malasyi, and Central Aceh Regent Haili Yoga.

The news of Miswan's departure to the Holy Land drew negative reactions among netizens. He is considered nirempati, because he went abroad when the people needed him. Mirwan also consciously uploaded photos of his Umrah on personal social media.

Apparently, Mirwan's departure without getting permission from the Governor of Aceh Muzakir Manaf and the Ministry of Home Affairs. Mirwan's behavior did not escape the spotlight of President Prabowo Subianto.

As a result, he was subject to a temporary suspension of three months from the position of South Aceh Regent. Minister of Home Affairs Tito said that Mirwan's dismissal was in accordance with the rules in Law Number 23 of 2014 concerning Regional Governments.

In addition, the government will provide guidance through internship programs so that Mirwan understands his responsibilities as a regional leader, especially during disasters. Not only that, the Gerindra Party Central Leadership Council (DPP) also imposed sanctions for dismissing Mirwan from the position of Chairman of the South Aceh Gerindra DPC.

It is not the Umrah worship of Mirwan and his family that is questioned by many circles, but the momentum is clearly not right.

This worship is a problem because it is done right when the people suffer from floods and landslides. This disaster not only claimed hundreds of lives, hundreds of others were injured, and thousands were displaced. This flood also destroyed various facilities and residential areas.

There are no good prayers that are usually offered to someone who carries out Umrah, Mirwan is actually bombarded with criticism. He is labeled as an irresponsible, nirempati, and has no ethics.

Mirwan did clarify that his departure to Mecca was to fulfill the nazar which had been delayed several times. However, is it ethical to carry out Umrah with his family, when the people who choose him are saddened?

Executive Director of Indonesia Political Opinion (IPO) Dedi Kurnia Syah said, from a normative point of view, the temporary suspension of South Aceh Regent Mirwan could be justified, but from government governance this was not good.

"Because of the system for selecting regional heads from the Pilkada, and in terms of power, not subordinates of the Minister of Home Affairs. The regional head is an independent partner of the central government, only violations of the law can be sanctioned," said Dedi when contacted by VOI.

Disappearing from disasters, said Dedi, is more about the ethics of the leader, so that the sanctions that can be done should not be from the Minister of Home Affairs, but from the community directly by taking the mechanism to encourage the DPRD to fire.

"It's not just a non-active violation, the violation that can be taken is to take the oath to serve the nation, and leave the people when it comes to the disaster it should be considered as annihilation," he continued.

In a press conference earlier this week, Minister of Home Affairs Tito Karnavian explained the reason for the government not to permanently dismiss South Aceh Regent Mirwan. The law regulations, explained Tito, do not allow direct dismissal of these types of violations.

As for Gerindra's decision to fire Mirwan, Dedi considered it appropriate. "And the hope is that it will not be accepted again, even other political parties will boycott the person concerned as much as possible," he said.

Meanwhile, Professor of the Institute of Domestic Administration Djohermansyah Djohan assessed that Mirwan's move to perform Umrah in the midst of the difficulties of residents facing ecological disasters is not only against the rules, but should not be ethical.

Umrah should have been postponed. He also gave an example of what the Governor of West Sumatra Mahyeldi Ansyarullah did to cancel his son's wedding party on December 6-7, 2025. This decision was taken as a form of empathy and solidarity with the flash floods and landslides that befell West Sumatra.

He hopes that the case of the South Aceh Regent will be a lesson for other regional heads. Regional heads are not only about implementing the rules, but also have to use the standard of appropriate ethics as leaders.

"So, when the situation of natural disasters and the condition of the people is in crisis, he must put his people first rather than personal interests or family matters. Personal interests must be defeated with the interests of the people who are affected by the disaster," he said.