125 Thousand Clothing Failed to Export Will Be Sent to Aceh Disaster Area Sumatra

Minister of Home Affairs (Mendagri) Tito Karnavian during the Cabinet Meeting for Handling the Sumatra Disaster in Jakarta, Monday, December 15, 2025 (President's Media Team)

JAKARTA - The government through the Ministry of Home Affairs (Kemendagri) is ready to distribute 125 thousand pieces of failed export clothing as humanitarian assistance for flood victims in several areas of Sumatra. The aid comes from domestic garment factories and will be immediately sent to the affected areas.

The proposal to distribute the clothes that were not exported was conveyed by the Minister of Home Affairs Tito Karnavian during the Cabinet Meeting for Handling the Sumatra Disaster in Jakarta, Monday, December 15. This step was taken to accelerate the fulfillment of the basic needs of disaster victims.

Tito explained that a number of large garment companies operating in the Special Economic Zone (KEK) expressed their readiness to distribute exported clothing that was still wearable. From the two companies that have coordinated, each has prepared around 100 thousand and 25 thousand pieces of clothing.

"We ask for support from the Minister of Finance and also the Minister of Trade so that these 125 thousand clothes can be sent as quickly as possible to the affected areas," said Tito.

The President of the Republic of Indonesia, Prabowo Subianto, welcomed the proposal and agreed to exempt the Value Added Tax (PPN) on failed export clothing assistance, provided that the distribution was carried out in an orderly and responsible manner.

"I think it's good. Please be exempt from VAT, but it must be handed over to the responsible agency, in this case the Ministry of Home Affairs, and immediately sent to the disaster area," said Prabowo.

Apart from logistical assistance, Tito also conveyed that the government had increased the allocation of Unforeseen Spending (BTT) by Rp. 268 billion for disaster handling in Sumatra. The budget consists of Rp. 60 billion for three provinces and Rp. 208 billion for 52 affected districts and cities.

The regional government, continued Tito, has been directed to prioritize meeting the needs of affected individuals, such as clothing, toiletries, special needs for women, and baby supplies.

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On the other hand, the government is also encouraging inter-regional solidarity. To date, assistance from other regions that have been monitored has reached Rp. 46 billion, both in the form of direct funds and logistical support, medical personnel, medicines, food, and clothing.

The assistance was directly distributed to the most severely affected districts and cities, including Aceh Tamiang and Tapanuli Tengah, to accelerate post-disaster community recovery.