REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Indonesia has been continuously studying the conditions being faced by the Rohingya ethnic group in Myanmar, Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi stressed here on Monday. "We are monitoring closely all developments concerning the Rohingya people," Retno said at the Presidential Palace.

She noted that the ministry has been consistently observing the developments in the region, and it is her duty to seek clarification regarding any information about the situation in Rakhine State. "This morning, the director general of Asia Pacific and Africa held a meeting with Myanmar's ambassador in Jakarta. Once again, we underlined the importance of Myanmar government conveying all information about the situation in Rakhine State (Myanmar)," she added.

A series of bilateral talks between Indonesia and Myanmar has been held since the previous Myanmar government. "We have long engaged with Myanmar's government in capacity building, providing them technical aid to address issues considered important for the Myanmar government in a bid to improve security and welfare in Rakhine State," Retno noted.

She cited that more than 10 times, Indonesia has worked on cooperation in capacity building projects for Myanmar, and on issues linked to good governance, democracy, human rights and decentralization. "We just shared information that we (Indonesia) also once faced a situation more or less similar to Myanmar, but we were able to make the transformation into a democratic country," Retno stressed.

In addition, she reminded, Indonesia has built four schools in the Rakhine State to ensure education for all. Indonesia has cooperated with Myanmar government to provide health facilities and equipment. "Talking about basic needs of a community, education and health are the key and that's what Indonesia has done with the help of some NGOs, to build an inclusive Rakhine State," Retno concluded.

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