Indonesia Floods: Why President Prabowo is Refusing Foreign Aid Despite Over 1,000 Killed

A symbol of surrender has become a desperate cry for help. Across Indonesia's flood-ravaged Aceh province, residents are raising white flags not to give in, but to signal a crisis the government claims is under control—a stark contrast between official statements and the reality on the ground.

Triggered by a rare cyclone in November, a massive deluge killed more than 1,000 people and displaced hundreds of thousands across the island of Sumatra. In Aceh, the worst-hit province accounting for nearly half the deaths, many still lack access to clean water, food, and medical supplies weeks after the disaster.

White Flags vs. 'Under Control'

Despite the dire situation, President Prabowo Subianto has refused foreign aid, insisting the situation is "under control." He told his cabinet last week that "Indonesia is capable of overcoming this disaster." Calls to declare a national disaster, which would unlock emergency funds and streamline relief, have so far been ignored.

The administration has said it disbursed some 60 trillion rupiah ($3.6bn) for reconstruction, but protesters tell a different story. Dozens rallied in Aceh's capital, waving white flags and demanding the government open the door to international assistance. Protestors say the flags are a distress signal to the outside world, not a sign of surrender.

Echoes of 2004: A Painful Comparison

For many in Aceh, the crisis brings back painful memories of the 2004 Boxing Day tsunami, one of history's worst natural disasters. That event, which killed an estimated 230,000 people, was met with a swift and massive international response. Survivors say that aid arrived more quickly after the far more devastating tsunami. "We fight like zombies for every bit of supply...because we are starving," one mother told the BBC.

In a telling incident, 30 tonnes of rice and 300 relief packages sent by the UAE were sent back by authorities, citing "guidance" from the central government. Analysts suggest Prabowo's refusal is a political move to assert authority and avoid being seen as a failure. Vedi Hadiz, a professor at the University of Melbourne, said Prabowo has prioritized the "symbolic performance of sovereignty" over crisis management.