TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Jakarta’s Directorate General of Politics and Public Administration (Kesbangpol) noted an additional surge of people at the former West Jakarta military command in Daan Mogot Baru, Kalideres, after it was reopened to accommodate asylum seekers.

“There was an increase after the facility was reopened,” said Head of Kesbangpol Jakarta Taufan Bakri at City Hall on Tuesday.

According to Taufan, the amount of asylum seekers at the facility has risen from 200 to 390 people, with a possible increase in the near future. The 200 people were those who remained at the location after the city’s administration ordered the facility to be emptied as there were no more funds to run the place.

He also added that the refugees returned to the Kalideres facility after they had run out of funds given by the UNHCR prior to leaving the facility.

The reopening was mainly executed under the orders of Vice President Jusuf Kalla, “Jakarta’s position is mainly only to facilitate, this is handled by central government so we must adhere to the orders,” said Taufan.

However, the city administration is only able to provide the physical location and not the additional aid within the facility.

TAUFIQ SIDDIQ