Evacuating Indonesian Citizens From Afghanistan After The Taliban Takes Power, Evidence Of Jokowi Protecting The People

The health team rushed to board the plane after landing at Halimperdanakusuma Airport, Jakarta. (Ministry of Foreign Affairs).

JAKARTA - Deputy V of the Presidential Staff Office (KSP) Jaleswari Pramodhawardhani said the evacuation of Indonesians in Afghanistan after the country was occupied by the Taliban was proof of President Joko Widodo (Jokowi)'s commitment to protect its people.

Not only that, but her party also appreciates the extraordinary steps that have been taken by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the TNI, and the State Intelligence Agency in the evacuation.

"The Presidential Staff Office really appreciates the extraordinary steps to protect Indonesian citizens by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, TNI, and BIN which are real, inclusive, and plenary and reflect President Joko Widodo's commitment to present the country in carrying out the constitutional mandate to protect the entire Indonesian nation and all of Indonesia's blood," said Jaleswari in a written statement to reporters, Sunday, August 22.

She said the evacuation of 26 Indonesians, 2 Afghans, and 5 Filipinos had been carried out considering the dynamics that occurred very high and very fluid.

"The evacuation is not an easy task and has experienced many challenges, but can be carried out well thanks to solid cooperation between all the ministries and institutions involved," said Jaleswari.

She also emphasized that this evacuation has shown the presence of the state wherever it is needed while carrying out a humanitarian mission, namely saving other citizens in need.

This was proven by the evacuation of 5 Filipinos who requested assistance from their country. "Assistance to bring foreign nationals on evacuation missions is part of the humanitarian obligation that must be carried out," she stressed.

Furthermore, the government through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Kemenlu) will continue to assess the situation in Afghanistan to determine further steps.

"Indonesia continues to hope that peace and stability can be created in Afghanistan. Indonesia also continues to be committed to helping create peace in Afghanistan," said Jaleswari.

As previously reported, the Taliban succeeded in entering the capital Kabul and occupying the presidential palace on Sunday, August 15, making President Ashraf Ghani flee and foreign countries trying to evacuate diplomats, foreign missions, and civilians in Afghanistan.

The successive attacks carried out by the Taliban made it much faster for them to take control of Afghanistan. This is a far cry from US intelligence estimates that the Taliban will besiege Kabul within 30 days and capture the city in 90 days of successive attacks.