Pekanbaru, Riau, (Antarariau.com) -- Chairperson of the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) Din Syamsuddin has urged international organizations to pressure the Myanmarese military regime to not suppress Rohingya people and to grant them citizenship.
Syamsuddin has appealed to international bodies such as the United Nations and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).
"I suggest that international organizations such as the UN and OIC come to a solution to overcome the Rohingya crisis. There is no other way but to suppress the military regime in Myanmar. The government should start with recognizing them (Rohingyas) as citizens," Syamsuddin stated here on Monday night.
He added that the Rohingya crisis is a global issue because Rohingya people are considered stateless. However, in terms of history, Rohingya people have been living in Myanmar for a long time, with some of them having been government leaders in Yangon.
"Why are they suddenly not recognized as citizens? Now, several countries do not accept the Rohingya refugees," Syamsuddin pointed out.
In addition, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) cannot help these people without citizenship as the agency only regulates refugees who are recognized as citizens, he explained.
"If they are repatriated to Myanmar, they will be oppressed again, and if they continue their journey, it will not be easy. Their destination, Australia, will not accept them," he remarked.
Therefore, Indonesia, as a transit country, must take the initiative. The government must sympathize with the Rohingya people in the name of humanity and religion, as Indonesia is the largest Muslim country in the world.
According to the MUI chief, for the time being, Indonesia can cooperate with the UNHCR to manage the refuges, as was done when they dealt with Vietnamese refugees in Galang Island, Riau province.
About a week ago, some 600 Rohingya refugees from Myanmar were found stranded in North Aceh. They said they would be taken to Malaysia but were deceived by the boat providers and left bobbing in the ocean till Acehnese fishermen rescued them.
