Mahfud Md, Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs, revealed that there are internal parties in Indonesia suspected of engaging in human trafficking related to the arrival of Rohingya refugees in the country.
President Joko ‘Jokowi’ Widodo echoed these concerns and suggested the involvement of a human trafficking network in the Rohingya displacement.
“Results of the meeting that I chaired with several ministries indicate that there are internal parties in our country that are part of or connected to human trafficking networks, so they are sent to be sold, then sent elsewhere. There is a syndicate involved,” stated Mahfud on December 12, 2023.
President Jokowi emphasized that the government would take strict action against human trafficking perpetrators while also providing humanitarian aid.
He mentioned that the National Police (Polri) is already handling the case to investigate those involved.
“We have handed over the legal issue to the police to handle promptly. The head of the task force is now the National Police Chief, for more effective measures,” said Jokowi.
He stated that the current focus is on resolving the socio-political issues concerning Rohingya refugees and urged the public to be patient.
Jokowi mentioned that the government is addressing the humanitarian needs of the refugees while prioritizing the interests of the local community.
“We will address the socio-political issues; it is a humanitarian problem. People have left because they were expelled by their own country, for example, the Rohingyas, expelled from Myanmar, not accepted by Malaysia, not accepted by Australia,” he explained.
While the government will continue providing humanitarian assistance, Jokowi assured that the needs and well-being of the local population would be prioritized. He also pledged to coordinate with other stakeholders in handling Rohingya refugees.
“We will consider how to provide humanitarian assistance to these refugees. Other countries are rejecting them, and they are being thrown to us,” he added.
Mahfud clarified that the government has not considered allocating an entire island for Rohingya refugees but assured the provision of temporary shelter.
As of September 2023, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) reported a total of 1,094,198 stateless Rohingya refugees and asylum-seekers globally. The majority are in Bangladesh (88.2%), followed by Malaysia (9.7%), India (2%), and Indonesia (0.1%).
Mahfud expressed concerns about the growing number of Rohingya refugees in Aceh, Indonesia, which has reached 1,478 individuals. He acknowledged the potential impact on the local community and emphasized the need for a comprehensive solution.
The situation underscores the complex challenges associated with refugee crises and the importance of addressing both humanitarian and legal aspects to ensure the well-being of displaced populations.
