ASIATODAY.ID, JAKARTA – The President of the Republic of Indonesia, Joko Widodo (Jokowi) revealed that there are allegations of human trafficking related to the increasing number of Rohingya illegal immigrants entering Indonesia, especially to Aceh.
“I received reports about the increasing number of Rohingya refugees entering Indonesian territory, especially Aceh Province. There are strong suspicions that there is a criminal network involving human trafficking in this flow of refugees,” said President Jokowi, December 8 2023.
President Jokowi emphasized that the government will take firm action against perpetrators of human trafficking regarding the influx of Rohingya refugees.
“The Indonesian government will take firm action against the perpetrators,” he stressed.
President Jokowi further said that the government would provide temporary assistance to the Rohingya people while still prioritizing the interests of the local community.
Apart from that, the Indonesian government will also continue to coordinate with international organizations to handle the Rohingya immigrant problem.
“Temporary humanitarian assistance to refugees will be provided by prioritizing the interests of local communities,” he stressed.
Meanwhile, the UN agency for handling refugees or UNHCR stated that there were around 700 Rohingya who had entered Indonesia and were now in Aceh Province.
“There are around 700 Rohingya refugees out of 1,684 who have entered Aceh during 2023, who need shelter because until now they still live on beaches, coconut plantations and small tents,” said Ann Maymann, UNHCR representative in Indonesia, Sunday.
He said that several refugee locations that did not yet have proper shelters included Sabang City, Pidie, and also those who had just landed in Aceh Besar.
As is known, the influx of Rohingya people will increasingly enter Indonesia via Aceh at the end of 2023, using wooden boats. Most of them are women and children, whom UNHCR calls stateless citizens. (ATN)
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