Indonesia has begun search and rescue operations for stranded migrant boats carrying Bangladeshis and ethnic Rohingya from Myanmar, an official said on Sunday, after it dropped a hardline policy of refusing them sanctuary.
Jakarta sparked international outrage by turning away vessels filled with desperate migrants, among thousands stranded at sea since a Thai crackdown on human-trafficking in early May threw the illicit trade into chaos. Along with neighbouring Malaysia, the Government changed approach on Wednesday with an announcement that they would take in boat people provided they could be resettled or repatriated within a year.
While Indonesian fisherman have helped hundreds of stranded Rohingya and Bangladeshis to shore, so far there has been no official rescue effort from Jakarta. But four naval ships, a patrol aircraft, and two pontoons for migrants to disembark, have now been deployed in a search which started on Friday, military spokesman Fuad Basya said. “We have officially received an order from President to carry out search and rescue operations, whether in Indonesia or international waters,” he said.