So far, we have not seen any impact. We are still monitoring it. 
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Tourism and Creative Economy Minister Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno has said that he is still monitoring the impact of the Rohingya refugees' arrival in Aceh on tourism in the region.

"So far, we have not seen any impact. We are still monitoring it. We must make sure that these refugees do not bring a negative impact on Aceh's tourism," the minister added after attending a limited meeting with President Joko Widodo at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta on Thursday.

Uno described the Rohingya crisis as a humanitarian disaster. The refugees are also facing many pressures.

"We are worried that they will be victims of human trafficking practice," he said.

The minister informed that President Widodo did not give any directions regarding Rohingya refugees during Thursday's limited meeting. However, he said that he will visit Aceh at the end of December or early January to directly review the impact of the refugees' presence on tourism in Aceh.

Earlier, Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs, Mahfud MD, said that the government is looking for a solution to overcome the problem of Rohingya refugees in Aceh.

"There are 1,478 Rohingya refugees in Aceh for now. The local people from Aceh, North Sumatra, and Riau were burdened by their arrival. They said that their condition was hard enough, (and asked) why Indonesia must receive the refugees," Mahfud informed on December 5, 2023.

He said that his ministry will also try to ensure that domestic and humanitarian needs are handled equally.

In addition, Mahfud said that Indonesia has not signed the United Nations (UN) convention on refugees. Therefore, the country is not bound by the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and it is providing assistance to Rohingya refugees purely on humanitarian grounds.

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Translator: Rangga Pandu A J, Resinta Sulistiyandari
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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