South Aceh Regent Mirwan MS went on umrah on December 2, 2025, despite Governor Muzakir Manaf rejecting his permission due to floods and landslides. Interior Minister Tito Karnavian confirmed no permit reached the ministry. As a result, Mirwan was suspended for three months.
On November 22, 2025, Mirwan MS applied for overseas leave through the South Aceh regional government for umrah, forwarded to the Interior Ministry. At that time, no disaster had occurred. However, starting November 24, 2025, floods and landslides hit Sumatra, including Aceh.
On November 27, 2025, Governor Muzakir Manaf, or Mualem, declared an emergency status in Aceh. The next day, on November 28, Mualem rejected Mirwan's request. "Pak Gubernur, tanggal 28 November, Pak Muzakir Manaf menolak. Dan kemudian menyatakan tidak dapat diproses lebih lanjut karena situasi dalam keadaan bencana," said Interior Minister Tito Karnavian during a press conference at the ministry in Jakarta on December 9, 2025.
After the rejection, Mirwan, who was in Jakarta, returned to Aceh and participated in aid efforts for disaster victims. Yet, on December 2, 2025, he departed for umrah from Sultan Iskandar Muda International Airport in Banda Aceh. Tito immediately contacted Mirwan and asked him to return. "And I asked if there was permission? The person said he had applied before, but then he went anyway. To the Interior Ministry, there was no permission at all," Tito stated.
Due to this violation, Tito signed a decree suspending Mirwan for three months. Mirwan was examined by the ministry's team after returning from umrah. The case highlights the obligations of local officials during emergencies.