Jakarta Kesbangpol Clarifies Asylum Seekers Not Relocated

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Jakarta National and Political Unity Office (Kesbangpol) head Taufan Bakri clarified that asylum seekers were not relocated from the ex-Kodim building in Daan Mogot Baru, Kalideres, West Jakarta.

“They are not relocated but will be given consultation sessions in Tebet later. There is a Sudanese school,” said Taufan to Tempo, Wednesday, August 28.

He added that the measure was taken to sterilize the refugee site. The school in question is Sudanese Africa Asian School (SAAS) located on Jalan Asem Baris Raya, Tebet, South Jakarta.

According to Taufan, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) will provide briefings in the school and set a place or grant allowance for them to seek their own living place.

SAAS will be a temporary place for Sudanese refugees, he said. “It’s a transit place near Tebet train station. So they can head to Bogor or others.”

When asked about the amount of the said allowance, Taufan claimed to have not known the information. “That’s the authority of UNHCR,” he said.

Tempo observed today, August 28, that Sudanese and Somali refugees were moved from Kalideres. “Those from Sudan first because they are vulnerable,” Taufan added.

The asylum seekers boarded five units of the Transjakarta bus, while their goods were transported by five trucks belonged to Jakarta Public Order Agency (Satpol PP). The moving process was escorted by the police, the Indonesian Military, and Satpol PP officers.

MUH HALWI