Pramono: Foreign refugee issue is central government's authority

Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung has stated that the issue of foreign refugees living on the pavement outside the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) office on Jalan Setiabudi Selatan, Kuningan, Setiabudi, is the authority of the central government. “This refugee issue is the domain of the central government,” he said in Jakarta on Saturday. He added that if the refugees use DKI Jakarta Provincial Government facilities inappropriately, his administration will take firm action. Previously, the South Jakarta City Administration had cleared out the foreign refugees who were staying on the pavement outside the UNHCR office. “We previously conducted a clearance, but they returned, and many residents have complained about their activities because they disturb public order,” said Setiabudi Sub-district Deputy Head Rizky Noviana Purnama in Jakarta on Thursday. She noted that while the refugees have human rights protected by international law, they are still obliged to comply with all applicable laws and regulations while in Indonesia. She added that authorities are still trying to find a suitable relocation site for the 32 refugees.