"During their humanitarian work in Myanmar, the PMI and the Turkish Red Cross faced a few difficulties in getting certain permits from the Myanmarese government but we will overcome it together," Kalla told the press after his meeting with Erdogan.
The former vice president of Indonesia brushed aside suggestions that the meeting was part of the Turkish government's efforts to push Indonesia to facilitate its access to the Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar.
"We are equally concerned about the Rohingya Muslims. However, the Turkish prime minister sought our advice on these matters because Indonesia is nearer to Myanmar and understands more about the issue," Kalla explained.
The PMI chairman said he was planning to soon visit the Rakhine state in Myanmar to discuss a plan to build houses for the victims of the Rohingya conflict.
"The houses are planned to be built in cooperation with Turkey," he added.
Kalla pointed out that Rohingya refugees were in urgent need of food, medical assistance and housing facilities.
"We will meet again with the Myanmarese government in order to be able to work there more freely. Turkey and Indonesia are the only two Muslim countries that can go there; other countries are unable to do so," he said.
(O001/INE/KR-BSR/A014)
Editor: Jafar M Sidik
Copyright © ANTARA 2012
