Surge of Rohingya Refugees Lands in Indonesia, Sparking Tensions

Around 400 Rohingya refugees arrived in Indonesia's Aceh province, adding to the recent surge of Myanmar's persecuted Muslim minority seeking refuge in the country. Prior to this, 1,200 Rohingya had already landed in Indonesia since November. Indonesian President Joko Widodo suspects human trafficking is behind the increase in boat arrivals and has pledged to work with international organizations to address the issue. While Indonesia is not a signatory to the UN Convention on Refugees, it has a history of accepting refugees. However, the recent influx has sparked backlash on social media and some resistance in Aceh. Rohingya have been leaving Myanmar due to persecution and lack of citizenship, often embarking on dangerous journeys to neighboring countries.