REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, TANJUNGBALAI -- The Islamic Youth Movement (GPI) in Tanjungbalai city, North Sumatra, has raised funds to be donated to Rohingya refugees from Myanmar, GPI spokesman Adrian Sulin said here on Saturday (24/5).
He stated that the fundraising activity was motivated by concern for Rohingya refugees currently in Langsa, Nangroe Aceh Darussalam.
"We will directly donate the funds to the Rohingya refugees in Langsa," Adrian said, adding that in addition to the funds, the group will also hand out used clothing to the refugees.
Also, Vice President Jusuf Kalla said in Jakarta on Wednesday that food and other assistance will be provided to Rohingya and Bangladeshi refugees in Indonesia.
"We will attend to all humanitarian needs of the refugees," he said from his office.
The vice president stated that the government had agreed to accommodate the refugees, but said it also required international cooperation in dealing with the issue.
However, the refugees from Bangladesh, who are all male adults, are economic refugees. As they did not flee their country due to any humanitarian crisis, they have to be deported, Kalla explained.
With regards to refugees who fled their country due to humanitarian issues, he noted that Indonesia, as a large nation, would not drive them away.
He also emphasized Indonesia's focus on Pancasila (five principles), with one of its tenets calling for a "just and civilized humanity."
If the number of refugees is large, they might be housed at a location considered fit for them, Kalla pointed out.
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