Healing Demo In Bangladesh, Ministry Of Foreign Affairs Affirms Hundreds Of Indonesian Citizens In Safe Condition

UNSPLASH/Colin Lloyd ILLUSTRATION

DHAKA - Communication continues to be carried out by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Indonesian Embassy in Dhaka to monitor the situation and ensure the safety of Indonesian citizens (WNI) in Bangladesh. This was done in line with the massive demonstrations that took place there, in protest of the abolition of the civil servant admission quota system (PNS) there.

"Until now, as of July 21, 2024, Indonesian citizens are safe," said Director of Protection for Indonesian Citizens and BHI of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Judha Nugraha via text message on Sunday, reported by ANTARA.

Judha said that out of a total of 563 Indonesian citizens in Bangladesh, the majority were housewives who married Bangladeshi citizens.

In addition to monitoring the security of Indonesian citizens, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Indonesian Embassy are also said to have drawn up contingency plans to anticipate further escalation.

The Bangladeshi government on Saturday, July 21 imposed a curfew across the country and deployed troops amid violent protests that led to the death of at least 105 victims.

The curfew is in place on Friday evening and will remain in effect until Sunday morning when authorities will review the situation in the South Asian nation.

To prevent widespread protests, the Bangladeshi government on Thursday, July 18 cut off mobile internet services and broadband connectivity (broadband), and limited access to social media.

The protest against the 56 percent quota system in public work in the South Asian country is getting hotter this week, along with the government's closing of educational institutions throughout Bangladesh.

However, the students refused to leave the university.

In Bangladesh's civil service recruitment system, about 30 out of 56 percent of the civil servant placement quota is for the sons and grandchildren of Bangladeshi independence fighters in 1971.