152 Rohingya Immigrants Relocated To South Aceh Tapaktuan Square

The Rohingya ethnic immigrants got off the truck after being relocated from Labuhan Haji Port to Pulan Alun-alun, Tapaktuan, South Aceh Regency, Wednesday (6/11/2024). ANTARA/Risky Hardian Saputra

BanDA ACEH - A total of 152 Rohingya immigrants were relocated from the shelter at Labuhan Haji Port to Alun-alun Square, Gampong Hilir, Tapaktuan District, South Aceh Regency.

The relocation of the hundreds of Rohingya immigrants uses four trucks. They consist of 60 children, 79 adult women and 13 adult men.

The relocation is based on a letter of agreement between the people of Labuhan Haji and related parties, namely the International Organization Migration (IOM) and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

In the letter, the people of Labuhan Haji stated that the Rohingya ethnic immigrants shelter at the Type C Terminal of Labuhan Haji Port until Friday (1/11). If it passes from that date, the community takes the immigrants to Tapaktuan, the capital of South Aceh Regency.

Previously, as many as 152 Rohingya immigrants were evacuated from the motorboat they were traveling to Labuhan Haji Port, South Aceh Regency, Thursday (24/10). The motorboat carrying immigrants was adrift in the sea for several days because it was not allowed to dock on land.

Residents of Labuhan Haji Raya, covering Labuhan Haji District, East Labuhan Haji District, and West Labuhan Haji District, rejected the landing of hundreds of Rohingya immigrants.

"South Acehnese, especially in Labuhan Haji, East Labuhan Haji and West Labuhan Haji, refuse to accommodate ethnic Rohingya immigrants," said Hena Taher, a community leader in Labuhan Haji Raya.

The former member of the South Aceh DPRK explained the reason residents refused was because of various public concerns about Rohingya immigrants who continued to come to Aceh Province.

"As is known together, in several districts in Aceh Province such as in West Aceh, many problems occur when local people receive them," said Hena Taher.

Previously, the Head of the Regional Office of the Ministry of Law and Human Rights of Aceh Province, Meurah Budiman, said that the Rohingya ethnic immigrants shelter in South Aceh Regency after being landed from the waters was only temporary.

"The temporary repatriation of Rohingya immigrants in South Aceh is waiting for the relocation land in Lhokseumawe to be repaired. At the latest they will be relocated to Lhokseumawe earlier this November," said Meurah Budiman.

This statement was conveyed by Meurah Budiman regarding the evacuation of 152 Rohingya ethnic immigrants to the mainland after almost a week they were adrift in the waters of Labuhan Haji, South Aceh Regency, because there was a rejection of the arrival of the boatman.

Meurah Budiman said the evacuation was for humanity and saved them. Then they were accommodated in the Labuhan Haji Port complex building.

After leaving South Aceh, they were transferred to Lhokseumawe. The Lhokseumawe City Government has provided five hectares of land for Rohingya immigrants," said Meurah Budiman.

Apart from South Aceh, the land is also for Rohingya refugee shelters which have been placed in the former immigration office building in Lhokseumawe.

"The land has been prepared. Later, UNHCR will prepare infrastructure and facilities such as tents, beds, MCK, and others. After this is ready, we will relocate the Rohingya from South Aceh to the place," he said.

According to Meurah Budiman, the local government's land preparation is guided by Presidential Regulation Number 125 of 2015 concerning the handling of refugees from abroad.

"Our obligation is to save humans, including providing basic services such as the health of food funds. We hope that the community will support the rescue of Rohingya refugees for the sake of humanity," said Meurah Budiman.