ACEH, RAKYAT NEWS – The Aceh Timur Regency Office of National Unity and Politics has confirmed the relocation of 264 Rohingya migrants to a temporary shelter at Seuneubok Rawang Football Field, Peureulak Timur.

These migrants had landed on the shores of Seumilang Beach, Alue Bu Village, Peureulak Barat, Aceh Timur, late Sunday evening, January 5, 2025.

Syamsul Bahri, the Head of the Political Governance and Security Division of Aceh Timur, said on Monday that the migrants were moved using five trucks. The group consists of 117 men and 147 women. “They were relocated to Seuneubok Rawang, which serves as a temporary shelter for Rohingya migrants in Aceh Timur,” he stated.

The relocation process was conducted under tight security, with the involvement of the local police, Aceh Timur Satpol PP, and international organizations such as the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). The measure aimed to consolidate them with another group of 137 Rohingya migrants who had previously landed in other parts of Aceh Timur, including Kuala Parek and Madat.

Abdul Kudus, one of the migrants, shared their harrowing journey, which began in Myanmar. After 15 days at sea aboard two motorized boats, they eventually landed in Indonesia. “Initially, we were 274 people. Unfortunately, 10 of us died during the journey, leaving 264 survivors,” he revealed.

Before reaching Aceh, their attempt to seek refuge in Malaysia was unsuccessful. “We landed on Langkawi Beach in Malaysia, but the authorities rejected us. We were only provided with food and drinks before continuing our journey,” Kudus explained.

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