Pramono: Handling of Foreign Refugees on UNHCR Pavement Not DKI's Authority, Ready to Enforce Order

Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung has stressed that the handling of foreign refugees near the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) office in Setiabudi, South Jakarta, falls under the authority of the central government. Despite this, the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government will take action if the refugees misuse public facilities or disturb public order. “The issue of refugees is the domain of the central government,” Pramono said in Jakarta on Saturday, July 4, 2026. According to Pramono, the provincial government has a responsibility to maintain order in public facilities across Jakarta. Therefore, if violations of existing regulations are found, the regional government will not hesitate to enforce order. “We will not hesitate to take action and discipline them,” Pramono stated. The South Jakarta City Administration had previously conducted enforcement operations against a number of foreign refugees who had set up tents and were living on the pavement near the UNHCR office on Jalan Setiabudi Selatan, Kuningan, Setiabudi District. The measure was taken after the refugees’ presence drew complaints from the public for disrupting public order and local residents’ activities. Setiabudi Deputy District Head Rizky Noviana Purnama said her office had actually carried out enforcement several times. However, the refugees returned to the same location after the actions were taken. “We previously conducted enforcement, but they came back and many residents complained about their activities because they disturb public order,” Rizky said. She added that the district government continues to coordinate with various parties to maintain order in the area. Meanwhile, the UNHCR has expressed appreciation for the steps taken by the South Jakarta City Government in maintaining order around its office. UNHCR Field Security Associate for Security and Safety Handling, Linda, conveyed that refugees indeed have human rights protected under international law. However, she stressed that all refugees in Indonesia are still obliged to comply with all provisions of national law while in Indonesian territory.