JAKARTA, KOMPAS – Amid the widespread condemnation on the humanitarian crisis in Myanmar’s Rakhine state, Indonesia was among the countries that swiftly responded to the conflict. Since the conflict first erupted in Rakhine, Indonesia has actively helped the victims while seeking solutions to end the conflict. “Beyond a political response, we also made concrete steps to help those affected,” Foreign Minister Retno LP Marsudi said in Jakarta on Sunday (3/9/2017).
Together with 11 civil society organizations, including religious organizations Nahdlatul Ulama, Muhammadiyah and the Indonesian Buddhist Association (Walubi), the Indonesian government has helped the Rakhine people in a number of refugee centers since last year. Other than distributing food and clothing for the refugees, Indonesia has also established two schools in Rakhine communities.
The inclusive approach was supported by other steps, including improving the abilities of Myanmar authorities and the diplomatic approach, both for the Myanmar government to stabilize regional security and for the Bangladesh government to handle the influx of refugees. For this purpose, Retno flew to Naypyidaw in Myanmar to meet with the Myanmar government on Sunday.
“On this trip, I bring the mandate of the Indonesian people who hope that Indonesia can help resolve the crisis. Other than that, I also bring the hope of the international community that Indonesia can voice the international hope for the crisis to be resolved,” Retno said.
At the Freedom Palace, President Joko Widodo said that the Indonesian government regretted the ongoing violence in Rakhine. Indonesia has also done much to help the refugees. “Together with all Indonesians, I deplore the violence in Rakhine, Myanmar. Real actions, instead of verbal condemnations, are needed. The Indonesian government is committed to helping with humanitarian actions in synergy with the civil society in Indonesia and all over the world,” the President said.
The President has assigned the Foreign Minister to communicate with United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and Advisory Commission on Rakhine State chair Kofi Annan. From Myanmar, the Foreign Minister will fly to Dhaka in Bangladesh to prepare humanitarian assistance for the Rakhine refugees in Bangladesh.
The Indonesian government, President Joko Widodo said, also planned to send humanitarian aid this week. “Indonesia has also housed refugees and provided aid,” the President said.
The focus of Indonesia’s mission is to tackle the humanitarian crisis comprehensively. In this effort, Indonesia will maintain communications with the Bangladeshi government.
International support
In regards to Indonesia’s move, Dutch Foreign Minister Bert Koenders has contacted Retno. Europe supports Indonesia’s move, especially in reducing the tension in Rakhine and implementing prevention efforts. Europe appreciated Indonesia’s leadership in offering support.
Separately, Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (Kontras) deputy chair Puri Kencana Putri said that, of all the calls by Malaysia, Turkey and a host of other countries, the Myanmar government opened its doors to Indonesia.
“We have to maintain this access and openness. Even the voice of the Organization for Islamic Cooperation (OIC) was not listened to in this crisis. The priority is humanitarian aid. Myanmar, which has just recently opened itself up and is in a political transition, needs guidance on transitional justice,” Puri said.
Puri also reminded of the importance for the Myanmar government to reveal the truths, bring justice and reform its bureaucracy in this transitional period. The presence of Indonesia, through its Foreign Minister’s active communication and the work of the Indonesian Embassy in Yangon and Indonesian humanitarian workers, must actively reach out to the Myanmar government to reach peace and resolve the Rohingya crisis.
Sympathy toward those who suffered in the conflict in Myanmar were delivered by a number of organizations, including Muhammadiyah and the Human Rights Working Group.
However, amid all of the government’s hard work, the Myanmar Embassy in Jakarta was terrorized by the throwing of a cocktail bomb in the early hours of Sunday.
CCTV recordings show the perpetrator exiting a car, waiting until there was no one around before throwing the cocktail bomb toward the second floor of the embassy building.