Prabowo About Rohingya: Needs Integralistic Steps Involving International Agencys

Illustration. Rohingya refugees at the Meuseuraya Aceh Hall. (ANTARA-Khalis Surry)

JAKARTA - Minister of Defense (Menhan) Prabowo Subianto emphasized that handling Rohingya refugees requires an integralistic step. For this reason, it is necessary to coordinate with international agencies.

Prabowo made this statement in response to questions from the media crew after participating in gathering activities with Acehnese scholars and figures, in Banda Aceh, Tuesday, December 26.

"We coordinate with international agencies, with the PBB and so on," said Prabowo, confiscated by Antara.

He emphasized that Rohingya is a world problem or concerns several countries so that Indonesia must approach it with an integral attitude and approach.

However, he continued, the most prioritized step is the interests of the Indonesian people themselves. There are still many people in the archipelago whose lives are difficult.

So, Prabowo added, it would not be so fair to accept all the refugees and become a burden, even though in terms of humanity Indonesia has a sense of solidarity to help and so on.

"So this needs an integral approach, but again at the end, we must protect the interests of our nation and people," said Prabowo.

To note, in the last two months Aceh has been repeatedly visited by Rohingya refugees spread across several areas in Aceh.

Based on the latest data, the number of Rohingya refugees in Aceh to date has reached approximately 1,684 people, spread across Pidie Regency, Lhokseumawe Sabang City and Banda Aceh City.