Indonesia vows to solve migrant issue in humanitarian way

JAKARTA — Indonesia will keep using a humanitarian approach in tackling problems related to asylum seekers, the country’s deputy foreign minister said, after Australia had reportedly turned back a vessel full of migrants.

Deputy Foreign Minister A M Fachir said in Jakarta yesterday (Nov 27) that Indonesia would continue to accommodate migrants who are stranded on their way to Australia, but he added that he wanted to discuss the matter with the Australian government.

“We need to get comprehensive information about who is involved [in turning back asylum seeker vessel to Indonesia]. Soon after getting all of the information, we will discuss it with the Australian government to hear their points of view,” Mr Fachir said.

The Sydney Morning Herald reported yesterday that the Australian Navy turned back a ship containing 16 asylum seekers last week, after it had almost reached Christmas Island.

The vessel containing 16 asylum seekers and an Indonesian captain was sent back to Kupang in East Nusa Tenggara.

An asylum seeker from Bangladesh, Muhammad Anwar, was quoted in the SMH report as saying that he had paid US$5,000 (S$7,100) to a smuggler to bring him to Australia. He said he wanted to reach Australia because of problems in his birth country.

“In dealing with this case,” Mr Fachir said, “Indonesia’s principle is to use a humanitarian approach. We will accommodate and process them according to the law and international regulations.”

Speaking at a forum discussion on migrant issues, Mr Fachir also said that it was necessary to address the root causes for people’s irregular migration, in cooperation with asylum seekers’ countries of origin, transit countries and destination countries. JAKARTA GLOBE