Humanitarian Crisis in Rakhine Must be Immediately Stopped, President Jokowi Says

President Jokowi delivers a press statement at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, Sunday (3/9). (Photo by: Public Relations Division/Nia)

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo deplored acts of violence in Rakhine State, Myanmar.

According to the President, real actions, instead of only statements of condemnation, are needed in addressing violence against the Rohingya people.

“The Indonesian Government is committed to continue lending its assistance in addressing humanitarian crisis (there) through a synergy with the civil community in Indonesia and also with the international community,” the President said in his press statement at the Merdeka Palace in Jakarta on Sunday (3/9).

The President added he has instructed Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi to maintain intensive communication with various stakeholders, including UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres and Chairman of the Advisory Commission for Rakhine State Kofi Annan.

In the meantime, to address humanitarian crisis and conflicts in Rakhine, President Jokowi said that the Indonesian Government dispatched 10 containers of aids in the form of food and medicine in January and February this year. The President added that the Indonesian Government had also built schools in Rakhine and would also immediately build a hospital there whose construction begins in October this year. “Indonesia has also provided shelters for Rohingya refugees and given the best aids,” the President added.

President Jokowi further said that he has also instructed Minister of Foreign Affairs to fly to Dhaka, Bangladesh, to coordinate humanitarian aids needed by Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh. According to the President, it is expected that this week the Indonesian Government will send more aids in the form of food and medicine. “Once again, this violence, this humanitarian crisis must be immediately stopped,” the President said.

Joining the President during the press statement were Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs Wiranto, Minister of State Secretary Pratikno, and Foreign Affairs Deputy Minister A.M. Fachir. (DNA/UN/ES) (EP/YM/Naster)