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RI, Malaysia offer temporary shelter 7,000 migrants; Thailand yet to join effort
The governments of Indonesia and Malaysia have agreed to offer temporary shelter to up to 7,000 undocumented migrants that have been stranded at sea for weeks
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he governments of Indonesia and Malaysia have agreed to offer temporary shelter to up to 7,000 undocumented migrants that have been stranded at sea for weeks.
The move emerged in response to intensifying criticism over the handling of an ongoing migrant influx crisis in the region, a statement has revealed.
The decision was made in Putra Jaya, Malaysia, during a ministerial meeting involving Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno LP Marsudi, Malaysian Foreign Minister Anifah Aman and Thai Foreign Minister Gen. Tanasak Patimapragorn, according to their joint ministerial statement made available to The Jakarta Post.
'Indonesia and Malaysia agreed to continue to provide humanitarian assistance to those 7,000 irregular migrants still at sea,' the statement read, adding that the temporary shelter was offered, 'provided that the resettlement and repatriation process will be done in one year by the international community.'
Despite Tanasak's presence, it was not known why Thailand did not join Indonesia and Malaysia in offering shelter.
'Malaysia and Indonesia invite other countries in the region to join in this endeavor,' says the statement.
The location of the shelter will be later determined and administered by a joint task force to be established by the affected countries.
The meeting was held after international groups, including the UN and its agencies, criticized the absence of coordinated efforts by ASEAN countries and authorities' attempts to prevent migrants from reaching land.
'[The ministers] agreed to resolve this issue in keeping with the spirit of unity and solidarity of ASEAN as well as the aspiration to have a people-oriented and people-centered ASEAN,' says the statement.
The ministers also underlined that 'the issue cannot be addressed solely by the three countries.'
They have also called upon the international community to 'uphold its responsibility and urgently share the burden' of providing the necessary support, 'particularly financial assistance.'
The ministers also expressed their determination to continue to bring the human traffickers to justice.
'The enforcement agencies of the countries concerned will continue to share intelligence information in their efforts to combat people smuggling and human trafficking,' says the statement.
Earlier on Wednesday, another 102 migrants, including women and children, believed to be from Bangladesh and Myanmar, reached Aceh on fishing boats despite stepped up efforts from the Indonesian Military (TNI) to prevent them from entering Indonesian waters.
'There are indications that the fishermen helped the migrants,' TNI spokesperson Maj. Gen Fuad Basya told the Post.
The TNI has deployed four warships and two small boats, as well as one patrol aircraft, to monitor the migrants' boats.
More than 1,300 migrants, mostly Rohingya from Myanmar as well as Bangladeshis, have entered Indonesia in the past few weeks, according Indonesia's Foreign Ministry.
They are now being housed in temporary shelters with food and medical assistance.(+++)
