"As Myanmar`s neighboring country, Indonesia must be proactive in seeking peace and respectable solutions to the conflict through diplomatic channels and international forum," Rofi Munawar said.
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - A legislator has called on the Indonesian government to be firm and take official stance on the violations against the ethnic Rohingya in Myanmar.

"As Myanmars neighboring country, Indonesia must be proactive in seeking peace and respectable solutions to the conflict through diplomatic channels and international forum," Rofi Munawar, deputy chairman of the Inter parliamentary Cooperation Agency of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR), said in a press statement here on Thursday.

The legislator, who is a politician of the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS), said the incidents in Myanmar could not be viewed as separated from the problems of the ASEAN region.

The Rohingya refugee exodus at the end of 2015 is a problem which has had direct impact on ASEAN and its surroundings.

"With its principles of neutrality among members, ASEAN should be able to exert pressure on Myanmar to take prevention measures against conflicts and violations against the ethnic Rohingya," he said.

He pointed out that last year the Indonesian government had taken mediation steps with regard to the Rohingya conflict, Thus, Indonesia was better reminded of its commitment towards Myanmar.

The meeting was attended by Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi and Myanmars Foreign Minister U Wunna Maung Lwin.

It produced a number of agreements, including matters relating to Rohingya refugees, where the Myanmar government should carry out steps to prevent irregular migration.

"According to the current open information, a state which was sensitive to a violent behavior that claimed lives could no longer respond to it with a mere policy without a firm attitude," he said.

A series of clashes had once against taken place between the Myanmar military troops and a Muslim group in Northern Rakhine last weekend, claiming the lives of 28 Rohingya Muslims and two Myanmar soldiers.

Based on reports, a series of clashes took place beginning on Saturday (Nov 12) when the military launched a cleansing operation in Rakhine. A total of 19 Muslim Rohingya were killed by the military.

In the meantime, another legislator, a politician of the National Awakening Party (PKB), Abdul Kadir Karding, also urged the Indonesian government to take an active diplomatic measure to stop persecution against Rohingya ethnic minority in Myanmar.

"I hope the Indonesian government does not keep silent over the violence and human rights violations suffered by Rohingya," Karding, PKB secretary general, said in Jakarta on Monday.

Indonesia is a big and influential nation in Southeast Asian region, and so it could involve the ASEAN in an effort to stop the persecution of Rohingya.

"Indonesia, as a nation that could maintain ethnic and religious diversity, should be able to play an active role in promoting peace in ASEAN, and in Myanmar particularly," he remarked.

He also urged the United Nations to play a significant role in protecting Rohingya ethnic group.

Persecution against Rohingya could disrupt regional stability in ASEAN, because the violence is related to ethnic and religious sentiments, he noted.

"I call on the Muslims in Indonesia to keep calm and react cautiously concerning reports on persecution against Rohingya," he said.

He also called on the Indonesian people to pray for and provide assistance to Rohingya in Rakhine State, Myanmar.

Meanwhile, Foreign Affairs Minister Retno LP Marsudi said Indonesia has been continuously studying the conditions being faced by the Rohingya in Myanmar.

"We are monitoring closely all the developments concerning the Rohingya people," Retno said at the Presidential Palace.

She noted that the ministry has been consistently observing the developments in the region, and it is her duty to seek clarification regarding any information about the situation in Rakhine State.

"This morning, the director general of Asia Pacific and Africa held a meeting with Myanmars ambassador in Jakarta. Once again, we explained the situation to the Myanmar government, conveying all information about the situation in Rakhine State (Myanmar)," she added.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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