Jakarta, IO – Residents of Bireun, Aceh rejected Rohingya refugees ship with 249 onboard, preventing them from disembarking.
The wooden ship arrived at the shore of Pulo Pineung Meunasah Dua village, Panjang Bireuen district, Thu (16/11), per CNN Indonesia, Sat (18/11)
Pulo Pineung village chief Mukhtaruddin explained that residents immediately went to the location after learning about the arrival of more Rohingya refugees that often made their landing in Aceh.
Mukhtaruddin said the rejection was not without reason. According to him, they often cause trouble for the local communities. “The popular sentiment is that most of them are seen as badly behaving,” he said.
After being rejected in Bireuen, the ship carried on its journey and arrived in Ulee Madon village, Muara Batu district, North Aceh. However, the residents there also rejected them.
Lhokseumawe Police chief Superintendent Henki Ismanto said the community rejected the arrival of Rohingya refugees because there were no available shelters and the bad impression given by previous refugees who were considered disrespectful to the societal norms that apply in Aceh.
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“The refugees did not maintain cleanliness and did not heed Islamic law and customs practiced by the community,” explained Henki.
Out of compassion, the residents provided assistance in the form of food, bottled water and instant noodles to the refugees. However, the refugees threw them into the sea instead. (un)