REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA - Indonesia hopes that the conflict between the Rohingya and Rakhine ethnic groups that has claimed at least 77 lives in Myanmar would not disturb the Buddhist-Muslim harmonious relations. Indonesia as a predominantly Muslim county should use appropriate ways in channeling its solidarity to help the Rohingya Muslims who are facing discriminatory problems and clashes with their Buddhist Rakhine compatriots.

"I am grateful and appreciate the assistance and expression of solidarity for the Rohingya. I hope that the form of assistance and expression of solidarity would be channeled properly and rightly through consultations with the foreign ministry so that it would reach the target," President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said over the weekend.

The president reminded that several cases in the past where assistance and expression of solidarity were provided overseas without coordination with the government. As a result, it created a diplomatic problem which forced the government to step in to solve it.

In addition, the problem in Myanmar involved different religious adherents so that it should be handled in a proper way without causing disharmony between the Buddhist and Muslim communities. According to Religious Affairs Minister Suryadharma Ali, the Rohingya ethnic issue has become increasingly felt crucial. Thus, it is hoped it would not have bad impacts on the relations between the Muslim and Buddhist communities.

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