Task force on illegal immigrants

DENPASAR: The government will set up a task force to handle the flow of illegal immigrants to Indonesia, Coordinating Minister for Political, Social and Security Affairs Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said here Monday.

"Indonesia which is located between Asia and Australia has become a stepping stone and destination country for illegal immigrants, especially those from South Asia and Middle Eastern countries," Yudhoyono said in a coordinative meeting with officials of Bali's provincial administration.

The government needed to make integrated efforts, through domestic as well as international cooperation, to stem the flow of illegal immigrants to Indonesia, he said.

The establishment of a task force and bilateral cooperation would be needed to handle the problem, the minister said, adding that the country was already beginning to cooperate with Australia.

"The government is also cooperating with Malaysia and Singapore and some international agencies such as the International Organization of Migration (IOM) and the UN High Commissioner on Refugees (UNHCR)," he said. Antara