Indonesia to Send Humanitarian Assistance for Rohingya

President Joko Widodo welcomes former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan.

Badung, Bali, 09 Rabiul Awwal 1438/09 December 2016 (MINA) – The Indonesian government will send humanitarian assistance for the Rohingya ethnic minority in Rakhine State, Myanmar.

The plan was revealed to the press following a meeting between President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) and former UN secretary general Kofi Annan at the Bali International Convention Center, Nusa Dua, here, Thursday.

According to Antara News, during the 40-minute meeting, Jokowi and Annan discussed efforts to resolve the Rohingya humanitarian crisis.

“Mr Kofi Annan is chairman of the Advisory Committee for Rakhine State. So we talked extensively about it, and in the discussion, he outlined the necessary steps we need to take to deliver humanitarian aid to Rakhine State,” Jokowi told the press.

President Jokowi earlier also said that Indonesia planned to send logistical assistance to the Rohingya in the very near future.

“I have also ordered (the concerned) minister to provide assistance and send it as soon as possible,” he noted.

The aid consists mainly of food and blankets.

Kofi Annan, who is also chairman of the Kofi Annan Foundation, has expressed his appreciation to the Indonesian government for trying to help resolve the Rohingya problem, according to Indonesian Foreign Affairs Minister Retno LP Marsudi.

Marsudi said Jokowi had asked her to prepare short-term and long-term plans for helping the Rohingya.

“In the long term, several things are needed, and we have discussed these with State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi. They are capacity building for good governance and democracy, as well as respect for human rights. We have implemented this program and will continue it because it is crucial,” she stated.

Minister Marsudi visited Myanmar on Tuesday morning to meet with Suu Kyi in the evening, as part of a series of intensive diplomatic efforts undertaken by Indonesia to help resolve the problem in Rakhine State. (T/R07/R01)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)