KUALA LUMPUR — Malaysia has announced a cash assistance package of RM500 (S$158) for each Indonesian student affected by the recent floods and landslides in Aceh and parts of Sumatra. The Prime Minister’s Office expressed deep sympathy for Indonesia’s ordeal, emphasizing solidarity with its “brothers and sisters” during this difficult period.
The gesture is aimed at supporting Indonesian students studying in Malaysia, many of whom have been impacted by the disaster back home. Indonesia ranks as the second-largest source of international students in Malaysia, with over 11,000 Indonesians enrolled in Malaysian institutions as of late September 2025.
Although Indonesia has declined official foreign government aid, Malaysia previously sent a two-tonne shipment of medical supplies to Aceh, delivered by Gomez Medical Services and Blue Sky Rescue Malaysia, and a small Chinese team has been assisting in search operations. The disaster has claimed nearly 1,000 lives, left over 200 missing, and injured more than 5,100 people, with rescue teams still active in affected areas.