Two Indonesians Reported Dead In Deadly Syrian Clash
Wednesday, 13 June, 2012 | 14:19 WIB

TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta:Foreign Office's Indonesian Nationals Protection Director Tatang Razak said the Indonesian Embassy in Syria would do its best to repatriate Indonesian citizens from that country. "We're not only monitoring them, we're working hard to ensure that the Indonesian workers (TKI) as well as [other] Indonesian nationals in Syria are safe and sound," said Tatang when contacted Tuesday, June 12, 2012.

According to Tatang, to date 108 Indonesian nationals were accommodated at the Indonesian Embassy (KBRI). Thirty-four people would be sent home June 17. The rest await administrative procedure. Earlier, KBRI had sent 233 Indonesian nationals from the conflict-torn Syria.

The number of Indonesians wishing to return home will increase, as many TKIs and WNI (Indonesian citizens) had not registered themselves yet, said Tatang. KBRI had set up two reporting posts and opened a hotline service for Indonesians wishing to go home. "Whenever there are reports of our people wanting to return home, we'll soon pick them up and make arrangements for their trip home.

Sri Dewi, a TKI from Tangerang, Banten,is still trapped in Syria. She said she had three times called the KBRI but there had been no follow-up action. "The last time I called, I was ignored," said Sri Dewi when contacted.

Sri Dewi was still in her employer Alzaher JB's house in Damascus. She said she had obtained permission from her employer to return home, but KBRI had given no reponse to her. "I'm still waiting. I want to be safe. I want to live," said Sri.

When reporting herself to KBRI, Sri was asked to wait until her [work] contract expired in another six months. She said she was worried about frequent clashes.

Sri Dewi is traumatized following an incident befalling her two friends, Ani, a worker from Cianjur, and Aminah from Sukabumi. According to her, Ani died from a bomb blast two weeks ago. Aminah was accidentally shot. "I called them on the last two days before they died. After that there was no more news."

In response to KBRI's slow response, as reported by Sri Dewi, Tatang promised he would soon confirm the matter with the KBRI in Syria. "If it's true she reported but no follow-up action was taken, we'll take action." As for the TKI who got shot, as reported by Sri Dewi, Tatang said KBRI would verify the truth.

IRA GUSLINA SUFA