The Reason The Regent Of South Aceh Remains Umrah In The Midst Of Disasters: Having A Nazar And Feeling That He Has Helped The People

Minister of Home Affairs Tito Karnavian during a press conference at the Ministry of Home Affairs building, Jakarta, Tuesday (9/12/2025). (ANTARA/Good Ahmad Rizaldi)

JAKARTA - Minister of Home Affairs Tito Karnavian revealed the reason why South Aceh Regent Mirwan MS continued to go abroad to carry out Umrah even though his area was being hit by floods and landslides.

This explanation came after Tito asked Mirwan to return to the area and undergo an examination at the Inspectorate General of the Ministry of Home Affairs

Tito said that Mirwan reasoned that he had Nazar which he needed to fulfill by carrying out Umrah.

In addition, Mirwan felt that he had provided enough assistance to the affected residents so that he decided to go to the Holy Land.

"I asked the person concerned, stating that he already has a Nazar, I don't know what nazar is, and then carrying out Umrah. The person concerned said he had helped, but it wasn't enough, just to help the community. There are other problems that need to be resolved there," Tito said at a press conference at the Ministry of Home Affairs building, Central Jakarta, Tuesday, December 9.

In fact, until now, the South Aceh region has not recovered from floods and landslides. The government recorded six sub-districts and 12 affected villages, while thousands of residents had to evacuate.

In addition, three government offices, three places of worship, and schools were heavily damaged. The national road section connecting Tapaktuan Medan was also cut off, as well as a connecting bridge in Central Trumon District.

Damage recorded not only in public infrastructure, but also in settlements and the agricultural and fisheries sectors.

Among them 750 housing units were heavily damaged, 460 hectares of rice fields were submerged in mud, 35 hectares of garden failed to harvest, and 70 hectares of pond failed to harvest.

Therefore, Tito emphasized that a disaster of this size still requires the presence of regional heads in his area to the recovery process.

According to Tito, efforts to provide assistance before leaving were not enough to replace leadership roles in the midst of an emergency situation.

"So it's not enough just to provide assistance and keep going like that. There are problems that must be resolved, and that requires leadership. Moreover, the regents chosen by the people," said Tito.

"If it's Umrah, it can be postponed, right, it's sunnah. While helping the community, the people, it's the most important worship, especially those who are in a state of disaster, difficulties," he added.

Tito explained the chronology of the application for permits abroad by Mirwan. The application was submitted on November 22, before the disaster occurred.

However, after floods and landslides hit since December 24, Aceh Governor Muzakir Manaf declared an emergency response status in Aceh. Muzakir then refused to apply for Mirwan's permit on November 28 due to the disaster situation.

"Pak Muzakir Manaf refused (the application for permits abroad) and then stated that it could not be processed further because of the situation in a disaster situation. But then on December 2, 2025, the person concerned left for Umrah and departed from Sultan Iskandar Muda International Airport," said Tito.

He emphasized that Mirwan did not have a permit from the Ministry of Home Affairs because the request never even reached the ministry. Tito also had time to tell Mirwan to return to his area.

"If the Ministry of Home Affairs does not have a permit at all because it has not yet been submitted to the Ministry of Home Affairs, it has been rejected by the Governor, Mr. Muzakir Manaf," said Tito.

As a result of this, Tito imposed a temporary removal sanction on Mirwan MS for 3 months.

As long as Mirwan is inactive, the Deputy Regent of South Aceh Baital Makadis has temporarily held the position of the South Aceh Regent. Now Mirwan must undergo coaching at the Ministry of Home Affairs.

It is known, on December 2, 2025, Mirwan left for Umrah with his wife.

His departure has drawn criticism because the South Aceh region is still in emergency response status. The situation heated up after the Governor of Aceh Muzakir Manaf on December 5, 2025, emphasized that he had never given permission to Mirwan to leave for Umrah during the disaster emergency.

In addition, the Gerindra Party Central Leadership Council (DPP) also imposed sanctions by dismissing Mirwan MS from his position as chairman of the South Aceh Gerindra DPC.