"As per the latest information, the current plan is we will repatriate 390 Indonesians from Jidda to Indonesia today. I need to emphasize that this is according to the plan," Marsudi said at the Presidential Palace Complex here, Thursday.
The minister stressed that all evacuation plans are subject to the actual condition, and any abrupt changes to the conditions might compel the authority to adjust the plans.
"Any changes that might occur are caused by changes in the actual condition that compels us to do so," the minister stated.
The 390 Indonesians evacuated from Sudan are expected to arrive at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, Banten, on Friday (April 28) morning, Marsudi noted, adding that she will personally welcome their arrival.
"(They) will arrive in Jakarta tomorrow at 6:30 a.m. local time aboard Garuda Indonesia flight 991. God Willing, I will be at the airport as well," she said.
Meanwhile, the minister expounded that the 390 Indonesians are part of 557 Indonesians relocated from the Sudanese capital, Khartoum, to Port Sudan, on the country's Red Sea coast, in the first evacuation phase.
Marsudi said some 12 Indonesians reportedly remain in Khartoum, while noting that most are embassy staff preparing for the second evacuation phase, where 328 Indonesians will be evacuated.
She noted that 110 of the 328 Indonesians have been transported to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, aboard Indonesian Air Force (TNI-AU) aircraft.
Moreover, Marsudi said that if any Indonesian national refused to be evacuated and decided to remain in Sudan, then the government would not compel them to leave the country.
"If they decided to stay because they want to be together with their family in Sudan, then it is their rights that we must respect," she stated.
The minister also appealed to all residents to pray for the safe return of the evacuees to Jakarta.
Related news: Gov't rescues 542 Indonesians in first-stage evacuation from Sudan
Related news: TNI deploys Kopasgat to support evacuation of Indonesians from Sudan
Translator: Gilang Galiartha, Nabil Ihsan
Editor: Tia Mutiasari
Copyright © ANTARA 2023
