Minister of Home Affairs Proposes 125 Thousand Reject Clothes to be Exported for Disaster Victims

President Prabowo Subianto accompanied by Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka chaired the Plenary Cabinet Meeting at the State Palace, Jakarta, Monday (15/12/2025) ANTARA FOTO/Galih Pradipta/YU

JAKARTA - Minister of Home Affairs Tito Karnavian has proposed exporting 125 thousand reject reject clothes from factories in the country as humanitarian aid for flood victims in several areas in Sumatra.

The proposal was conveyed by the Minister of Home Affairs Tito Karnavian in order to accelerate the fulfillment of the basic needs of disaster-affected people.

"We ask for the support of the Minister of Finance and also the Minister of Trade so that these 125 thousand clothes can be sent as soon as possible," said Titop at the Sumatra Disaster Management Cabinet Meeting in Jakarta, Monday, December 15, reported by ANTARA.

He proposed granting special permits for the private sector to channel humanitarian assistance in disaster crisis situations.

Titomeny said a number of large garment companies in the Special Economic Zone (KEK) were willing to distribute clothing that failed to be exported but was still wearable.

Of the two companies that have coordinated, each has prepared around 100 thousand and 25 thousand pieces of clothing.

President Prabowo Subianto welcomed the proposal and agreed to exempt value-added tax on failed export clothing assistance.

"I think it's good," said Prabowo.

"And yes, please be exempt from VAT, but also be aware (so) it must be handed over to the agency, (in this case) the Ministry of Home Affairs which receives and is responsible. And it must be immediately sent to the disaster area," said the President.

Tito also conveyed that the government had increased the allocation of the Unforeseen Expenditure (BTT) budget with a total of Rp. 268 billion, consisting of Rp. 60 billion for three provinces and Rp. 208 billion for 52 regencies and cities affected by the Sumatra disaster.

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Local governments have been directed to prioritize meeting the needs of affected individuals, such as clothing, soap, shampoo, women's needs, and baby supplies.

In addition, the government continues to encourage inter-regional solidarity. To date, assistance from other regions that have been monitored directly has reached Rp. 46 billion, both in the form of direct funding assistance and support in the form of medical personnel, medicines, food, and clothing that are sent directly to the most severely affected districts and cities, such as Aceh Tamiang and Tapanuli Tengah.

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