Meets Kofi Annan, President Jokowi Explains Indonesia’s Measures to Help Rakhine State

President Jokowi receives the visit of former United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan, at Bali International Convention Center, Bali, on Thursday (8/12) morning (Picture: Rahmat/Public Relations Office)

Ahead of Bali Democracy Forum (BDF), held at Bali International Convention Center (BICC), Bali, on Thursday (8/12) morning, President Joko ‘Jokowi’ Widodo met Kofi Annan, former United Nations Secretary General, as the Chairman of Advisory Committee for Rakhine State (Myanmar).

The President explained that his meeting with Kofi Annan discussed the measures that must be taken in helping people in Rakhine State, Myanmar, in particular concerning the tragedy experienced by the Rohingnyas.

Previously, according to the President, he has instructed Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi to visit Myanmar. “Two days ago, the Minister met State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi in Naypyidaw, Myanmar, to discuss the latest situation in Rakhine State. We would like to know what Indonesia can do for Rakhine State,” the President explained.

The President also said that he has instructed Minister of Foreign Affairs to immediately prepare food and blankets to be sent to Myanmar. “These are what they need; Indonesia prepares them after coordinating with Mynamar,” the President said.

Asked by the journalists whether Indonesia prepares another assisstance, the President stated that what they need as soon as possible are food and blankets. However, the President gave a signal that there would be the second stage, for example to build schools.

Regarding the inputs from Kofi Annan, according to the President, former United Nations Secretary General expressed his appreciation to Indonesia as the largest muslim population country.

In the meantime, in regards to Rakhine State, the President explained that Minister of Foreign Affairs has directly asked to State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi about what Indonesia can do.

On the meeting with Kofi Annan, President Jokowi was accompanied by Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi and Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung.

Highly Upholding Human Rights

Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi stated that she has extended Indonesia’s concern to the State Counsellor over the situation in Rakhine State, in a meeting in Naypyidaw, Myanmar, on Tuesday (6/12) evening.

In that meeting, they openly discussed the situation as well as the latest condition in Rakhine State. The Minister firmly said that it is important to maintan security as well as stability so that inclusive development in Rakhine State could be continued.

Indonesian Foreign Minister also expressed her wish that the Government of Myanmar still highly upholds respect and protection to human rights of all people in Rakhine State, including the Muslims, particularly in the efforts to restore stability.

“The problem of inclusivity, where all people have same rights and obligations, which become the key to solve the problems in Rakhine,” the Minister said as quoted by Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ website.

Meawhile, State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi extended her appreciation for Indonesia’s support during this time, including humanitarian assisstance from Indonesia that has entered Rakhine State after the incident on 9 October 2016.

“The Government of Myanmar has opened the door for humanitarian assisstance from Indonesia so it is possible for assisstance from Pos Kemanusiaan Peduli Umat (PKPU) to enter Rakhine State,” Retno firmly said.

According to the Minister, Indonesian people have given assisstance for construction of two schools in Rakhine region. The construction has finished. At the moment, Indonesia is hepling the construction of six schools in Rakhine State.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs also extended Indonesia’s readiness to continue the cooperation in constructing health and education facilities in Rakhine State. In this matter, the Minister explained Indonesia’s plan to help the construction of houses and health facilities in a 4,000 square meters land in Rakhine State. (UN/RAH/ES)(MMB/YM/Naster)