Inp.polri.go.id - Jakarta. Minister of Home Affairs Tito Karnavian has issued a circular ordering all regional leaders to halt overseas travel until 15 January 2025 due to ongoing disasters and extreme weather across the country. 

The directive, announced Tuesday (9/12/2025) in Jakarta, requires governors, regents, and mayors to stay in their respective regions, particularly in disaster-affected areas in Sumatra.

“They must remain fully on standby, especially those whose regions are affected," Minister Tito said during a press briefing, as reported by antaranews.com.

He stressed that regional leaders will not face the crisis alone, as provincial and central government resources are being deployed to support emergency response. However, he emphasized that the presence of local leaders is crucial because they hold the authority to make immediate decisions and coordinate disaster operations. Without them, he noted, local agencies risk losing direction.

Minister Tito added that regional heads also serve as chairs of the Regional Leadership Coordination Forum (Forkopimda).

(mg/inp/pr/rs)