‘Indonesia ready to help Bangladesh over Rohingya issue’

Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi today expressed her country's readiness to help Bangladesh in easing burden on it over Rohingya issue.

She said they will continue to discuss with Bangladesh what sort of support Indonesia can provide to put an end to the crisis.

“This humanitarian crisis should be ended,” the visiting Indonesian foreign minister said while briefing media at Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel in Dhaka wrapping up her 10-hour visit here.

Earlier, Retno held meeting with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her Bangladesh counterpart AH Mahmood Ali.

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Meanwhile, Indonesia has submitted a proposal to Myanmar named 'Formula 4 + 1' for Rakhine State to restore peace and allowing immediate access to humanitarian assistance there, reports UNB.

These four elements consist of (i) restoring stability and security; (ii) maximum restraint and non-violence; (iii) protection to all persons in the Rakhine State, regardless of race and religion; and (iv) the importance of immediate access to humanitarian assistance.

Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi had a meeting with Myanmar State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi in Myanmar's capital on Monday and placed the proposal.

"The first four elements are the main elements that must be done immediately so that the crisis of humanity and security does not worsen," explained the Indonesian Foreign Minister.

Another element is of importance for the recommendation of the Advisory Panel Report for the Rakhine State headed by Kofi Annan which she suggested implementing immediately.

The Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs at the meeting also expressed the concern and high commitment of Indonesian Humanitarian NGO to Myanmar.

In this regard, she said it has just launched the Humanitarian Alliance of Indonesia for Myanmar (AKIM) on August 31.

The Alliance consists of 11 humanitarian organizations, which prioritise its assistance on four issues, namely (i) education; (ii) health; (iii) livelihood (economy); and (iv) relief. The assistance commitments given by the Alliance amounted to US 2 million.

"I hope that the government of Myanmar can continue granting access to AKIM as it has been with the government of Indonesia in implementing several programmes," the Indonesian Foreign Minister was quoted as saying in a text UNB obtained on Tuesday.