Jakarta – Coordinating Political, Legal and Security Affairs Minister Wiranto has rejected mounting calls for the government to expel Myanmar's ambassador to Indonesia Aung Htoo following the outbreak of violence in Rakhine state.
Wiranto said that such a dramatic move would prevent Indonesia from playing constructive role in finding solution to the crisis.
"If we do that, we will not have a diplomatic relation. So how will we send aid that the Rohingya people who desperately needs it," Wiranto said as quoted by kompas.com on Tuesday.
Wiranto said that the Indonesian government had to tread carefully in dealing with the problem. "We should not make reckless decision while being emotional. [We should not] expel their envoy or withdraw our envoy," Wiranto said.
In a number of rallies to protest the violence against the minority Muslim Rohingyas, protesters have called for the Indonesian government to expel Myanmar's ambassador here.
Some have also called for the Nobel Committee to revoke its prize to the de-facto leader of Myanmar Aung San Suu Kyi for failing to take actions against the prosecution against the Rohingya people.