Coordinating Minister For Political, Legal And Security Affairs Mahfud Asks Bakamla Patrol To Prevent Rohingya Refugees From Coming

Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Mahfud MD when giving a statement at the Kemenkopolhukam Office, Jakarta, Wednesday (6/12/2023). ANTARA/Walda

Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs (Menko Polhukam) Mahfud MD asked the Maritime Security Agency (Bakamla) to patrol to prevent the arrival of Rohingya refugees.

"We will find a way to find the first way if possible or not. Bakamla will continue to coordinate to patrol," Mahfud said as quoted by ANTARA, Wednesday, December 6.

Mahfud explained that Bakamla would coordinate with the Indonesian Navy (AL) in patrols at several points.

According to Mahfud, so far his party has focused on preventing refugees from entering and transferring Rohingya residents who have fled to other places.

Several efforts, continued Mahfud, have been carried out from the start of coordinating with the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to looking for new refugee camps.

Mahfud has also ordered the Minister of Home Affairs Tito Karnavian to coordinate with the Aceh, North Sumatra and Riau regions to discuss alternative Rohingya refugee camps.

The Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs confirmed that in the near future he would place Rohingya refugees in a new location in order to avoid the accumulation of residents.

Mahfud also emphasized that these efforts were solely based on humanitarian feelings.

"So, Rohingya, in principle, we adhere to humanitarian diplomacy because it is humanitarian in nature, we are looking for a way," said the former Chief Justice of the Constitutional Court.

At the same time, the Head of Bakamla Vice Admiral TNI Irvansyah was seen leaving the office after a meeting to discuss Rohingya refugees today.

He was reluctant to reveal the discussion at the meeting to reporters.

"The point is that Bakamla is ready to support government policies," he said briefly.