News Of Rohingya Refugees Having An ID Card, Muhadjir Effendy Calls Disadvantaged Bureaucratics, Must Be Investigated

A number of Rohingya refugees rest at the Kuala Idi Cut Fish Landing Place Building (TPI), Darul Aman District, East Aceh Regency, (DOC ANTARA)

Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture (Menko PMK) Muhadjir Effendy asked relevant policy makers to investigate Rohingya refugees suspected of having an Indonesian Identity Card (KTP). "I am one of the people who regret it if it happens and that means that our bureaucracy has been missed by that case and must be investigated further," said Muhadjir at the Coordinating Ministry for Human Development and Culture Office, Jakarta, as reported by Antara, Monday, December 18. Previously, it was rumored that eight Rohingya refugees were arrested in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT). They are known to have brought fake Identity Cards (KTP). The ID card is said to have been made in Medan, North Sumatra. Muhadjir admitted that he had not received complete information regarding the alleged fake ID card belonging to the Rohingya refugee. However, he emphasized that this should not happen. "Because after all the arrivals of the Rohingya refugees are arrivals that we do not want. And we do not have any attachment to UNHCR to accommodate him as a refugee status," he said. He also asked the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugee (UNHCR) to be responsible for the wave of Rohingya refugees visiting Indonesia. Moreover, the arrival of these refugees is a requirement for an alleged criminal act of trafficking in persons. "So in this case, the government should strictly ask UNHCR for accountability and must immediately find a place that is the responsibility of UNHCR," he said. Previously, Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) said that the issue of Rohingya refugees was very relevant for discussion at the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and Japan Summit, which will take place in Tokyo on Sunday (17/12). "I think it is very relevant to talk about because this is not only ASEAN's problem, but also the problems of countries visited by refugees (Rohingya)," said Jokowi. Although it is not obliged to accept Rohingya refugees because it is not a country that ratifies the 1951 Refugee Convention, Indonesia has decided to accommodate the refugees from Myanmar based on humanitarian diplomacy.

Therefore, Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi continues to call for the root of the Rohingya refugee problem to be resolved immediately, so as not to have a further impact on fellow ASEAN countries.