REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Sad news about hundreds of Rohingya which stranded again in Aceh and Medan in almost at the same time led to growing concerns of a number of Humanitarian Agencies that are members of the South East Asia Humanitarian Committee ("SEAHUM") Chapter Indonesia. Concerns arise not only related about Indonesia which reportedly rejected and expelled back Rohingya boats out of the waters of Indonesia, but also issues related to the handling of Rohingya asylum seekers stranded in Indonesia.

SEAHUM Chapter Indonesia, which consists of the National Humanitarian Institution PKPU, Rumah Zakat, Dompet Dhuafa, Aksi Cepat Tanggap, Dewan Dakwah Islamiyah Indonesia, SNH Advocacy Center, and PAHAM Indonesia, said that Indonesia does not have legislation that is sui generis which manage the handling of asylum seekers in Indonesia. As a result, the handling depends on the provisions stipulated in the Law 6 of 2011 about Immigration.

"The impact on the field, the handling of Rohingya in Indonesia was only partial, depending on the policy of the local government where the Rohingya accommodated,"said President of SEAHUM, Agung Notowiguno, on Tuesday, May 19.

According to him, the treatment of the Local Government to Rohingya people is very good. They are treated like human beings, given shelter, and provided public kitchens for logistical needs. The local government also provides health facilities for Rohingya thus proving that Indonesian care to the fate of the Rohingya.

This condition is an anomaly, where the regime of our immigration laws treated the Rohingya as illegal immigrants, while the local leaders and the community treat Rohingyas as sibs. "It is appropriate that the local government is concerned of Rohingya’s fate given high appreciation,"he said.

Local Government called Agung has limitations in providing assistance to the Rohingya. So, it is necessary to have synergy between all the components of the Indonesian to participate and help the Rohingya in the name of humanity. He hopes that all Indonesian open his heart to help the Rohingya.

The Rohingya issue will be the main subject of discussion in the event of SEAHUM 2nd Annual General Meeting in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on May 21 to 22, 2015. "Hopefully the event will be attended by agencies from the countries of Southeast Asia as it could give the real solution for the Rohingya,” he said.

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