Qatar has promised the Indonesian government $50 million to help it cope with an influx of migrants from Myanmar and Bangladesh, amid a worsening refugee crisis that has roiled Asia.
The pledge was made yesterday by Qatar’s Emir, during a meeting in Doha with Indonesia’s foreign minister, Retno Marsudi.
According to QNA, Marsudi requested support in providing Rohingya refugees with relief, such as shelters.
Earlier this month, Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand drew global criticism for turning away and even shooting at boats of refugees that approached their shores. Many of the migrants had fled their home countries to escape persecution and poverty.
But last week, Indonesia and Malaysia consented to providing temporary shelter to those in need if the “resettlement and repatriation process will be done in one year by the international community,” Malaysian Foreign Minister Anifah Aman said in a joint press conference with Marsudi.
Maid ban
According to QNA, the Emir and Indonesian FM also “discussed a set of issues of mutual interest” yesterday.
Likely on the agenda was Indonesia’s new plans to ban its nationals from working as domestic help in Qatar and 20 other countries in the region.
The restrictions were announced earlier this month as a way to protect “human values and the dignity of the nation” and is expected to take effect in three months.
It would not apply to any nationals already working in Qatar, which is home to around 20,000 Indonesians working in domestic roles, according to Amnesty International.
Thoughts?
Positive news. However I never underestimate the negativity of Doha News commentators.
This is a good gesture from Qatar and you know why it is good? Because there is nothing in it for Qatar, you can always judge people better when their actions don’t have an ulterior motive.
Maybe as a next step they could offer some of these persecuted people citzenship, much better than the murderous scum of Taliban leaving here.
Credit that you are happy to praise Qatar when benevolence is in evidence – but, “nothing in it for Qatar” just might be a tad ‘rose-tinted’?
I expect a moratorium on the Indonesian Domestic Worker ban to be announced in the not too distant future? With Ramadan fast approaching, that would be a Doha wide celebration. Arguably well worth 50M.
I totally agree with offering citizenship though. Those people need somewhere to be, permanently, not just temporary relief in miserable limbo.
However, credit to Qatar for giving that assistance.
How about they stay in their own lands? Why isn’t the west defending this minority?
The west should not interfere is other countries business. This is the lesson they have learned the last twenty years and have been told by countless people. Better to let people die than be accused of interference.
The “secular” West cherry-pick the minorities they protect. They all happen to be Christians.
That Shows your religious bias.
When the west bombed Serbia, Christian orthodox to protect Bosnians, Muslim they did that to protect Christians? When saddam invaded Kuwait and the other Arab countries couldn’t put together a response it was a western coalition that liberated them. I was unaware Kuwaitis were Christians.
People like you are the reas
Personal attack? Means my point was right on the spot. You also forgot to add the “money” factor in your example, come on it’s the Westerners we’re talking about here how can you ignore such a thing. Speaking of crazies, how many did the atheist crazies kill in total? Yes I am talking about Stalin, Mao and Pol Pot.
None of those people stated they killed people because of atheism, they killed people because they were ruthless dictators or through the consequences of their actions. However religious crazies kill millions in the name of God, with the Middle East being a particular favourite killing field of theirs
In addition to MIMH’s statement – Nepal just now, the Tsunami (which devastated many countries of many religions) and major assistance in most catastrophes globally, regardless of ehnicity.
Hardly cherry-picking?
What are you waiting for then? Please go and help them; show some initiative.
are you recruiting for ISIS or something?
Deleting for attack.
You are right. I am disgusted how Malaysia and Indonesia are treating their follow muslim brothers.
But you’re totally fine with how the Burmese are treating their fellow citizens.
But the question was why aren’t the other muslims helping their brothers.
I agree, Burma should be bombed and the regime should be changed.
In that case so should Saudi and Iran to free the miniorities persecuted and discriminated against because of the regime
Qatar paid Indonesia $50 M so they will continue sending Indonesian maids!! Wow, what’s amazing people actually believe this
For $50 M I say bring in English maids
British maids are only good for complaining.
Hi, to my twin commentator
The last British maid I spoke to was 80 years old, 25+ years ago, she left service during WWII.
Paid Indonesia for a Quid Pro Quo for maids directly? No! Smoothing the Path… not inconceivable?
My neighbors in Sweden actually had a Qatari woman who worked as their maid.
Just wanted to let you know that.
Deleting for devolving into racism.
Great news. And I heard the donation will be paid through the Burmese FIFA representative.
Hehe
You’re a very sour person… Can’t be anything other than British
Shabina, your ‘deletions for stereotyping’ do seem to somewhat arbitrary. Look forward to your early action on this comment.
Deleting for attacking (welcome back, though).
Why does not Qatar take some muslim refugees?
Why should it? Oh it has money which everyone seems to give a say on how to spend. It’s “extra” money in hater’s eyes.
Yes, it has money but it is on the bank accounts of very few.
Sure, whatever makes you sleep at night.
IDIOT.
Deleting for attack.
you’re kidding right? you do know the whole 1% issue isnt a qatari one right?
But you guys are muslims rights?
yes, your point is? the county should be run like a mosque?
Help for a big problem.Malaysia and Indonesia will have internal issues if they keep them and Myanrmar will be crying it can’t take them back for whatever reason they can come up with. Thailand is very fearful they will have to take some of them in-actually are holding a line, and then they have the human traffickers.Its all very sad.
Why don’t they use the money to send them back to Bangladesh where they came from in the first place? Just because you don’t like your home country, it doesn’t mean you can just leave and impose yourself on another country.
Rohingya,
who are they & are they really being persecuted ? Watch to know: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bF63ysPL2fs
Do share to create awareness!