Jakarta, NU Online
Chairman of Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) KH Slamet Effendy Yusuf stated that the Indonesian government must be firm with Myanmar, which discriminates against minorities like the Rohingyas.<>

"The Indonesian government and ASEAN have never made a clear statement on the Rohingya issue," Yusuf said here recently.

The chairman of the Indonesian Ulema Council added that Indonesia and other member states of the ASEAN should make it clear to Myanmar that its actions against the Rohingya community do not uphold the principles of human rights.

"ASEANs stance should be made clear so Myanmar can understand that we do not approve of their actions that chased away the Rohingyas. I think we have to do that," Yusuf remarked.

With regard to Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand providing temporary shelter, Yusuf pointed out that their attitudes do not seem to be much different and that they do not have the authority to maintain stability in the ASEAN region.

"We must accept the Rohingya refugees sincerely on humanitarian grounds. They should not be blocked," he emphasized.

Therefore, Yusuf appreciated the Aceh government for providing shelter to the Rohingya asylum seekers in Kuala Cangkoi village, Lapang sub-district, some 300 kilometers from the Aceh provincial capital of Banda Aceh.

"We must salute the government of Aceh that gave shelter to the Rohingyas," he stated.

"It is an integral part of implementing Indonesias Pancasila ideology. So we should be concerned about this issue," he said.

Furthermore, Indonesia has taken appropriate steps into consideration to resolve the issue of Rohingya and Bangladeshi refugees arriving in provinces such as North Sumatra and Aceh.

"We think about all possible options to overcome the problem. The government is taking into account appropriate steps to be taken by bearing human values in mind," Vice President Jusuf Kalla said.

In addition, Indonesia will find a solution to resolve the conflict Rohingyas face in Myanmar.

"We will help the Rohingya refugees find a way out," Kalla affirmed.

On May 15, some 648 Rohingya asylum seekers were found stranded in Malacca Strait some 20 miles from Pusong Beach, East Aceh district, Aceh Darussalam province, and were finally rescued by local fishermen.

On the same day, in Aceh Darussalams neighboring province of North Sumatra, 96 Rohingyas, including 83 men, eight women and five children, were also rescued by local fishermen after being stranded in the waters of Pangkalan Susu sub-district, Langkat district.

On May 10, as many as 587 refugees, including women and children, from Myanmar had also been found stranded in the waters of North Aceh district.

They were then given shelter in Kuala Cangkoi village, Lapang sub-district, some 300 kilometers from the Aceh provincial capital of Banda Aceh.

Governor of Aceh Darussalam Zaini Abdullah has provided aid in the form of food and clothing, loaded in three trucks, to be distributed to the Rohingya Muslims who are in dire need of assistance.

Some of the asylum seekers, both in Aceh Darussalam and North Sumatra, are receiving medical treatment due to their deteriorating health condition after being at sea for several days. (masdar)