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eports on the hundreds of Rohingya and Bangladeshi migrants trying to enter Indonesian territory have headlined in several prominent national newspapers. The first wave of migrants was met with a relatively positive response, as local fishermen attempted to rescue them and bring them ashore safely. However, the Indonesian government reacted quite differently from the humanitarian spirit shown by its people.

The deployment of more Indonesian Navy resources to detect suspected migrant boats in the area was openly criticized, mainly as being inhumane or against the humanitarian spirit.

I would like to give another perspective that I hope offers a better understanding of what our government has been doing as well as a more objective appraisal.

Taking into account that Indonesia is not a signatory of the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees, there is no obligation, internationally or domestically, for the Indonesian government to provide a safe haven to these refugees. Despite this situation, our government has provided the boat people with basic needs, something that many of our brothers and sisters in other parts of Indonesia may lack.

We have to understand that the resources allocated to feed these refugees come from the taxes we pay. Just imagine how much we need to spend to meet the needs of countless refugees whose rights have been abused by their own government.

In my opinion, what is happening right now characterizes the general problem of this region: unfinished nation building. ASEAN nations are ethnically, culturally and religiously heterogeneous in nature, which makes it difficult for the modern states to exercise the authority within their territories and people as each aforementioned sector of differences has its own authority, including Indonesia.

In a realist and self-sufficient perspective, there is nothing wrong with Indonesia'€™s official statement saying that '€œit is not our business when it comes to rescuing and providing a safe haven and economic opportunities to the refugees'€. It is not that I am against the idea of helping less fortunate people whole-heartedly or showing the utmost respect for human rights. Yet, we must remember that there are tens of millions of less fortunate Indonesians whose suffering should be the government'€™s top priority.

The Indonesian government is facing a bitter dilemma. On the one hand, it has the obligation to prioritize its people as to ensure its sovereignty and independence, while on the other hand, it is being pressured by internationally accepted values, such as human rights, to do otherwise. Therefore, we need to stand by our government by not overly criticizing its decisions on the matter.

Ali Wahyu Imanullah
Depok, West java