Pramono Says Central Government Responsible for Asylum Seekers in Jakarta

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, falls under the authority of the central government. “The refugee issue is the domain of the central government,” he said in Jakarta on Saturday. He added that if the refugees use the facilities of the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government inappropriately, his administration will take firm action. “We will not hesitate to take action and bring them to order,” he said.

Previously, the South Jakarta City Administration had conducted a clean-up operation targeting the foreign refugees living on the pavement. “We previously carried out an operation, but they returned, and many residents have complained about their activities because they disrupt public order,” said Setiabudi Sub-district Deputy Head Rizky Noviana Purnama on Thursday.

Meanwhile, UNHCR Field Security Associate Linda appreciated the South Jakarta City Administration’s efforts to bring order to the refugees who had set up tents behind the UNHCR office or in the Atrium Mulia Building area. She noted that while refugees have human rights protected by international law, they are obliged to comply with all applicable laws and regulations while in Indonesia. “Regardless of their nationality, if a violation of the law occurs, Indonesian security forces have the right to take firm action,” she said. Linda added that her office is still working to find a suitable relocation site for the 32 refugees.