TEMPO.CO, Sidoarjo - On the 70th anniversary of Indonesian Independence Day, Shia refugees from Sampang that have taken refuge for three years hoped that the government would grant them freedom by returning the refugees to their hometown.
"We hope the government in this independence day will return us to our home in Sampang," said Iklil Al Milal, leader of the Shia Sampang refugees, at Puspa Agro flats in Sidoarjo on Monday, August 17, 2015.
Iklil said that Indonesia has not gained its independence because there are people who were evicted from their home. "People are being repressed in their own country," Iklil said.
Even though there has been no serious efforts by the government to repatriate Shia refugees, Iklil said that he will keep fighting for their rights.
The refugees previously lived at Sampang Sport Building for nine months. Latest data from the East Java Disaster Mitigation Agency, which manages the refugees, showed that currently, there are 340 Shia refugees taking shelter in Sidoarjo.
NUR HADI
