Commission II Of The House Of Representatives Supports President To Fire South Aceh Regent: His Negligence Is Very Clear

Settlements after being hit by flash floods in Batu Busuk, Pauh, Padang, West Sumatra, Wednesday (3/12/2025). BETWEEN PHOTOS/Iggoy el Fitra/nym.

JAKARTA Member of Commission II of the DPR Indrajaya supports President Prabowo Subianto's move to order the Minister of Home Affairs (Mendagri) to dismiss the South Aceh Regent, Mirwan MS, after choosing to go for Umrah in the midst of the flood disaster that hit his area.

Indrajaya assessed that the Mirwan Regent's actions were a form of negligence and serious violations of the responsibility of a regional head. Especially when its citizens are experiencing an emergency.

"The departure of the South Aceh Regent for Umrah when its people are hit by floods is a form of neglect of duty," said Indrajaya to reporters, Tuesday, December 9.

A regional head not only holds a political mandate, but also a moral and humanitarian mandate. When his people are affected by the disaster, the regent must attend, lead, and ensure that all handling runs quickly," he continued.

Indrajaya stated that the President's order for the Minister of Home Affairs to fire the South Aceh Regent was correct and in line with the provisions of the applicable laws. Moreover, the form of negligence of Mirwan is very clear.

"The president carries out his authority properly. The Minister of Home Affairs does have a strong legal basis for dismissing regents who are negligent, violate the oath of office, or do not carry out obligations in disaster management. In this case, his negligence is very clear," said Indrajaya.

The member of the commission in charge of domestic government affairs also said that this dismissal step has a strong legal basis regulated in Law Number 23 of 2014 concerning Regional Government (as well as amendments to Law Number 9/2015). Where Article 78-79 explains the dismissal of regional heads if they do not carry out their duties properly and violate the oath of office.

Furthermore, said Indrajaya, Law Number 24 of 2007 concerning Disaster Management. "Article 3, which requires local governments to be emergency responsive and prioritize the safety of residents when a disaster occurs," he said.

Then, in PP Number 17 of 2018 concerning the Implementation of Disaster Management, regulate the obligations of regional heads in ensuring that disaster management runs effectively and is coordinated.

"A regent who leaves the area during a disaster, without urgent reasons that can be justified, can be considered not to carry out his obligations as regional head and violate the ethics of his position," explained Indrajaya.

The PKB legislator from the South Papua electoral district hopes that the Mirwan MS case will be an important lesson for all regional heads to always prioritize public safety above personal interests.

Regional heads must be on standby 24 hours when a disaster occurs. Position is a mandate, not a facility. I hope this firm action will be a precedent so that in the future there will be no more regional heads who ignore it," concluded Indrajaya.