Aceh Legislator Asks President to Allow Foreign Aid to Enter: Accepting Will Not Lower Indonesia's Degree

JAKARTA - Member of the House of Representatives from the Aceh Electoral District, Nasir Djamil, asked President Prabowo Subianto to allow foreign aid to enter Indonesia.

According to him, receiving international assistance in handling post-disaster floods and landslides in Aceh-Sumatra will not lower Indonesia's degree in the eyes of the world.

This was conveyed by Nasir Djamil in response to the large number of Acehnese who raised white flags at a number of points in the disaster-affected area. The raising of the white flag was carried out by residents who could not stand the slow assistance from the government.

"In the name of saving humanity, the state must open itself to aid from abroad," Nasir said when contacted, Wednesday, December 17.

The PKS legislator assessed that the government did not need to worry if Indonesia would be seen as weak in the eyes of foreigners, because it received assistance from other countries.

"Receiving assistance from abroad does not lower Indonesia's status in their eyes," said Nasir.

Previously, President Prabowo Subianto emphasized that Indonesia has the full ability to handle disasters that occur in a number of affected areas without having to declare them as national disasters.

The affirmation was conveyed by President Prabowo during the Plenary Cabinet Meeting at the State Palace, Jakarta, Monday, December 15.

Prabowo revealed that he received many phone calls from heads of state who conveyed their concerns while offering assistance. However, he assessed that the national condition was still under control and could be handled with its own strength.

"I say thank you for their attention. Indonesia is able to overcome this," said Prabowo.

Meanwhile, the Governor of Aceh, Muzakir Manaf alias Mualem, continues to receive assistance from abroad without making it difficult to enter Tanah Rencong.

Mualem has also received assistance from the company Upland Resources which operates in the United Kingdom (United Kingdom/UK), Malaysia, and Indonesia. The assistance provided was in the form of basic necessities for refugees.

"In principle, we are human beings. Whoever helps us, we still accept it sincerely. Whoever, wherever," said Mualem at Sultan Iskandar Muda Airport, Aceh Besar, Monday, December 15.

Mualem said the assistance was immediately distributed to the Acehnese people who were affected by flash floods and landslides.

Iamenegaskan dalam kondisi bencana, semangat kemanusiaan harus menjadi landasan utama tanpa memandang latar belakang pihak pemberi bantuan.

"The most urgent and severe are in several areas, such as Aceh Tamiang, East Aceh, North Aceh, and Bireuen. Also to Takengon and Beutong, as well as Langsa," said Mualem.

Even so, regarding the delivery of a letter to the UN, Mualem has denied it. He also did not know about it.