Pramono: Foreign refugee issue is central government's authority

Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung has assessed that the issue of foreign nationals (WNA) living on the pavements in front of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) office on Jalan Setiabudi Selatan, Kuningan, Setiabudi, falls under the authority of the central government.

“The issue of refugees is the domain of the central government,” he stated in Jakarta on Saturday.

He added that if these refugees use the facilities of the Jakarta Provincial Government inappropriately, his administration will take firm action.

Previously, the South Jakarta Administrative City Government (Pemkot Jaksel) conducted an enforcement operation against foreign refugees living on the pavements near the UNHCR office on Jalan Setiabudi Selatan, Kuningan, Setiabudi.

“We have previously conducted enforcement, but they have returned, and many residents have complained about their activities as they disturb public order,” said the Deputy Sub-district Head of Setiabudi, Rizky Noviana Purnama, in Jakarta on Thursday.

He noted that while refugees possess human rights protected by international law, they are still required to comply with all applicable laws and regulations while in Indonesia.

Authorities added that they are currently still attempting to find a suitable relocation site for the 32 refugees involved.