Indonesian FM in Dhaka to discuss Rohingya issue

Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi has arrived in Dhaka on Tuesday for a brief visit to discuss the current persecution of the Rohingya Muslim community in Rakhine state with the Bangladesh government. She is set to meet with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the evening and Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali at 4pm at the Padma state guesthouse during her stay here. The foreign minister arrived at 12:10pm on a Thai Airways flight and is scheduled to leave at 10pm by Singapore Airlines. Thus far, around 90,000 people – mostly women and children – have entered Bangladesh after the attacks on police and army bases in Rakhine state on August 25 and the Myanmar military crackdown. The Indonesian minister had visited the Rohingya camps of Cox's Bazar in December last year and discussed with Bangladeshi authorities the matter of finding a lasting solution to the crisis. Earlier, Bangladesh had welcomed Indonesia's willingness to discuss with Myanmar about finding a way to end the prolonged and escalating violence on the Rohingyas. Bangladesh Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali and his Indonesian counterpart held talks on the issue by phone on August 29, said foreign ministry officials the following day. Mahmood Ali held further discussions on the Rohingya issue last Wednesday when the newly appointed Ambassador of Indonesia Rina Prithyasmiarsi Soemarno met him at the Foreign Ministry in Dhaka. During the meeting, Mahmood expressed concern at the imminent influx of Rohingyas seeking shelter in Bangladesh. He also reiterated Bangladesh's readiness to assist Myanmar in addressing the security concern. Furthermore, he emphasised implementing the recommendations of the Kofi Anan-led Rakhine Advisory Commission for a durable solution to the problem in Rakhine state.