More than 260 Rohingya refugees, including women and children, have arrived in Indonesia’s westernmost province of Aceh after spending days adrift at sea, an official reported on Monday.

The Rohingya, a predominantly Muslim ethnic minority facing severe persecution in Myanmar, often undertake perilous sea journeys to escape violence and seek refuge in countries like Malaysia or Indonesia.

Iskandar, an East Aceh official, confirmed that the refugees landed on a beach in the town of West Peureulak on Sunday night, around 1525 GMT. “There are 264 of them — 117 men and 147 women,” he told AFP, adding that approximately 30 children were among the group.

According to Iskandar, the refugees were initially aboard two boats. One vessel sank off the coast, while the second managed to get close enough for passengers to wade ashore when the tide receded. “They told me they were rejected in Malaysia,” Iskandar said, noting that the local government has yet to decide where the refugees will be relocated.

The arrival of Rohingya refugees in Indonesia typically follows a seasonal pattern, with numbers decreasing during stormy periods and increasing when sea conditions improve.

In recent months, Aceh has seen multiple Rohingya landings. In November, over 100 refugees were rescued after their boat sank off East Aceh. Similarly, in October, 152 refugees were brought ashore after being anchored for days off South Aceh district as officials deliberated their fate.

While Indonesia is not a signatory to the UN Refugee Convention and maintains that it cannot be obligated to accept refugees from Myanmar, it has called on neighboring countries to share the responsibility of resettling Rohingya arrivals.

Many Acehnese residents, recalling their own experiences of conflict, have expressed solidarity with the Rohingya. However, some have voiced frustration, citing limited resources and occasional tensions between refugees and locals.

BOB Post