Suara.com – The conflict between Rohingya refugees and Aceh residents erupted on Wednesday (27/12/2023). This was triggered by the presence of hundreds of students from 3 universities, namely Abulyatama University, Al Washliyah University, and Bina Bangsa Getsempena who initially demonstrated in front of the Balee Meusuraya Aceh Building at around 15.00 WIB.
This protest was carried out to urge hundreds of Rohingya refugees living in the building to immediately leave the building. This expulsion ended in anarchic action by students who were furious to see the refugees who often disturbed local residents.
So, what actually happened? Check out these 6 complete facts.
1. Chronology of student protests
Before this massive protest took place, the public was shocked by the hunger strike of Rohingya refugees living in the Balee Meuseuraya Aceh Building some time ago.
This was triggered because they considered the Indonesian government to provide them with inadequate housing and food. In fact, this assistance was still provided to them amidst large protests by the people of Aceh against their presence.
The behavior of Rohingya refugees who violate norms and religion has also triggered many conflicts.
Angry with the behavior of the Rohingya refugees, hundreds of students protested in front of the Balee Meuseuraya Aceh Building on Wednesday (27/12/2023) at around 15.00 WIB by asking the refugees to immediately leave the building.
2. Students were furious and raided the refugee camp building
The ultimatum of hundreds of students seemed to be ignored by the Rohingya refugees.
This also triggered the emotions of hundreds of students who finally stormed the building and carried out anarchic actions by kicking and throwing the Rohingya refugees’ belongings out of the building. Shouts erupted to expel the Rohingya refugees from the multi-purpose building, the pride of the Acehnese people.
3. Lots of crying from Rohingya refugee mothers and children
The raid on the building became even more dramatic when hundreds of children and mothers cried because hundreds of students were thrown out of their temporary residence.
The atmosphere became increasingly tense when the students forced the refugees out of the building while packing their belongings. Some refugees still had time to pray in congregation when the anarchy became more intense.
4. Forced transportation by truck
This anarchic action continued until just before 17.00 WIB when hundreds of Rohingya refugees were forced into trucks transporting them to the Aceh Ministry of Law and Human Rights office.
Hundreds of Rohingya refugees surrendered by crying and prostrating themselves with the students who dragged them into trucks, but this still did not make the students feel sorry. The tension continued until security officers arrived and calmed the situation.
5. The students’ actions were highlighted by the public and foreign media
The video of the students’ anarchic action of expelling Rohingya refugees went viral on social media. This is considered to tarnish Indonesia’s good name in the eyes of the world, especially since Indonesia was one of the countries that was willing to accommodate refugees previously.
Netizens on social media also expressed scathing criticism on social media who were sad about this anarchist action.
“What’s the difference between you and a group of uneducated brats? Your alma mater is a symbol of higher education, but your mentality is b*dab,” wrote the account @herricahyadi on Twitter.
“It’s useless to have high knowledge but zero manners,” wrote another netizen.
6. Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Mahfud MD deployed troops to provide a safe place for the refugees
After the expulsion action by Acehnese students, hundreds of refugees were stranded at the Aceh Ministry of Law and Human Rights office. The Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs, Mahfud MD, immediately responded to this. Mahfud has also deployed security forces to place the refugees in a safer place.
“Today I have taken a decision by ordering the security forces to place the refugees in safer places. Some are in the Indonesian Red Cross building, some are in the Aceh Foundation building. I have also coordinated with Mr. Jusuf Kalla as Chairman of the Central PMI, ” said Mahfud when met at Al-Khonizy Islamic Boarding School on Thursday (28/12/2023) morning.
Contributor: Dea Nabila