REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi, during her visit to Myanmar, emphasized the importance of de-escalation of situation in Rakhine State amid ongoing armed skirmishes in the region.

"Efforts to de-escalate the situation in Rakhine State should be the main priority of the Myanmar security authority," Marsudi stated in a release from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs received here on Monday.

The message of de-escalation was conveyed by the Indonesian minister in front of Senior General U Min Aung Hlaing, the commander in-chief of the Myanmar Armed Forces.

Marsudi's meeting with Hlaing lasted for more than an hour, kicking off a series of meeting with officials of Myanmar authority to discuss the humanitarian crisis in the country's Rakhine State.

During the meeting, Marsudi, who arrived in Myanmar on Monday morning, was briefed by Hlaing on the recent developments and situation in the Rakhine State. He noted that the Myanmar authority would continue its effort to restore the security and stability in the Rakhine State.

Marsudi remarked that Indonesia and the world are very concerned over the development of Rakhine State's situation.

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"The authority of Myanmar should cease from any form of violence which occurs in Rakhine State and provide protection to all society, including the Muslim one," Marsudi explained.

The attack on the Myanmar police on Aug 25 by the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army has triggered a counter-offensive raid that resulted in the killing of more than 100 people, including civilians.

The incident has forced thousands of Rohingya Muslims to flee to Bangladesh to avoid Myanmar's worst humanitarian conflict in the last five years.

Restoring security and stability in Rakhine State is essential to allow humanitarian aid and rehabilitation process as well as the inclusive development that takes place in the region, Marsudi stated.

Indonesian Government is currently building a hospital in Marauk U in Rakhine State. Currently, the construction has entered the second phase, involving building a room for doctors and nurses, and is scheduled to be completed in two months, after which the third phase for the main building will be carried out.

The government of Indonesia has expressed hope that the Indonesian hospital would be able to provide health services to the people in Rakhine State.

Earlier on Aug 31, the minister launched the Humanitarian Assistance for Sustainable Community program for Myanmar as a form of commitment of the Indonesian Humanity Alliance to Myanmar, a group of 11 non-governmental organizations aimed at inclusively providing long- and mid-term aid to the community affected in Rakhine State.

Marsudi explained that the US$2 million program covers four sectors, namely education, health, economy, and capacity building.

After holding a series of meetings with Myanmar's government, Marsudi will depart for Dhaka, Bangladesh, to discuss the refugee issue with her counterpart, Mahmood Ali.

Marsudi also emphasized the importance of the recommendation and report from the Advisory Commission on Rakhine State, chaired by Kofi Annan, to the Myanmar authority.

"Indonesia welcomed the report and expected a follow up of the report's recommendation to be carried out immediately," Marsudi revealed.

Marsudi also hoped that the authority of Myanmar and neighboring Bangladesh would have mutual cooperation in safeguarding their border without neglecting humanity.

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