The Riau Islands administration will host 78 Sri Lankan boat people at its immigration detention center in Tanjung Pinang.
Provincial justice and human rights office head I Gede Widiharta said Monday the South Asians were heading to Tanjung Pinang on an Australian customs ship. Two Indonesian warships flanked the Australian vessel when it entered Bintan waters.
“The Sri Lankan refugees will be relocated here following a ministerial talk between the two countries. The Justice and Human Rights Ministry has requested us to arrange the relocation,” Widiharta said.
Australia has denied entry to the Sri Lankans.
Widiharta said the choice of the Tanjung Pinang immigration office’s detention center was made by the central government.
Provincial administration spokesman Irmansyah said the central government had never consulted with the regional administration on the resettlement of the Sri Lankan boat people.
“It’s beyond our authority. But if the central government deems the policy is OK, we will support it,” he said.
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