Nearly 200 Rohingya refugees land in western Indonesia after swimming to shore from boat

South China Morning Post
Agence France-Presse
Published: 8:27pm, 27 Mar, 2023

• The refugees, trying to reach Malaysia from Myanmar, said they were dropped offshore and told to swim to land by the boat’s captain
• Thousands of the mostly Rohingya Muslims risk their lives each year on long and expensive sea journeys to reach Malaysia or Indonesia

Ethic Rohingya men rest inside a mosque that is turned into a temporary shelter after they land in Kuala Matang Peulawi, Aceh province, Indonesia on March 27, 2023. Photo: AP

At least 184 Rohingya refugees, including many women and children, landed in Indonesia’s westernmost province on Monday, officials said, after they were dropped at sea by boat and made to swim ashore.

Thousands of the mostly Rohingya Muslims, heavily persecuted in Myanmar, risk their lives each year on long and expensive sea journeys, often in poor-quality boats, in an attempt to reach Malaysia or Indonesia.

Locals in the East Aceh town of Peureulak alerted police on Monday morning after discovering the group that officials said included 94 men, 70 women and 20 children.

• Why Malaysia is bracing for a fresh influx of Rohingya refugees 20 Jun 2022

“There was no boat on the beach when they arrived,” Nasri, the head of Peureulak subdistrict who, like many Indonesians, goes by one name, told AFP.

“There are some refugees who look weak, they probably have not been eating for days.”

At least five were taken to hospital, while others were taken to a mosque compound for shelter, food and medical treatment, he said.

An official from East Aceh social affairs agency Saharani confirmed the same arrival total to AFP.

A United Nations refugee agency (UNHCR) spokesperson said it was still gathering information on the new arrivals.

 Nearly 200 people arrive to Indonesia after drifting at sea for weeks

According to one of the passengers, they were dropped offshore and told to swim to land by the boat’s captain.

“After that, the ship we were on immediately left,” Rohingya refugee Ali told state news agency Antara. The refugees were trying to reach Malaysia from Myanmar, Ali said.

Local officials are in talks with the UNHCR and the International Organization for Migration about shelter for the refugees.

More than 2,000 Rohingya are believed to have attempted the risky journey to Southeast Asian countries in 2022, according to the UNHCR.

The agency estimated nearly 200 Rohingya died or went missing attempting hazardous sea crossings last year.

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