Ambivalence in Rejection Toward Rohingya Refugees in Aceh:

Kodrat Adami

doi:10.33059/jsnbl.v12i2.12204

Kodrat Adami Gadjah Mada University

DOI: https://doi.org/10.33059/jsnbl.v12i2.12204

Abstract

The presence of rohingya refugees in Indonesia has been responded to by the community with rejection in recent years. This rejection has led to ambivalence in the attitudes directed towards the rohingya refugees. This research aims to answer how ambivalence occurs in the community's rejection of rohingya refugees in Sabang. This research was conducted qualitatively by combining social media discourse with interviews with the people of Sabang city. Data was collected through digital ethnography and semi-structured interviews to understand the dynamics of the community with refugees. The results showed that there has been ambivalence in the response to rohingya refugees in Sabang due to the discourse that developed in social media and in the community which is connected to the social and cultural conditions of the community. the conclusion of this study emphasizes the need for social cohesion, balanced presentation of actual information, and encouraging self-representation by refugees to avoid misrepresentation and conflict between the community and refugees. further research is recommended to explore the rejection that occurred in Aceh more broadly, as well as to make comparisons with cases outside Aceh that are also dealing with rohingya refugees.

References

Allport, A., Willard, G., Clark, K., & Pettigrew, T. F. (1954). The Nature of Prejudice (Vol.2). MA: Addison-wesley.

Ansar, A., & Md. Khaled, A. F. (2021). From solidarity to resistance: host communities’ evolving response to the Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh. Journal of International Humanitarian Action, 6(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s41018-021-00104-9

Bavel, J. J. V., Baicker, K., Boggio, P. S., Capraro, V., Cichocka, A., Cikara, M., Crockett, M. J., Crum, A. J., Douglas, K. M., Druckman, J. N., Drury, J., Dube, O., Ellemers, N., Finkel, E. J., Fowler, J. H., Gelfand, M., Han, S., Haslam, S. A., Jetten, J., … Willer, R. (2020). Using social and behavioural science to support COVID-19 pandemic response. Nature Human Behaviour, 4(5), 460–471. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41562-020-0884-z

Blažev, M., Popov, M., Laginja, P., Juranović, K., & Lončarić, L. (2025). Minority Stress And Mental Health Outcomes Among Lesbians, Gay Men, And Bisexual Men And Women In Croatia. Sexual And Gender Diversity In Social Services, 1–43. Https://Doi.Org/10.1080/29933021.2025.2469036

DE JONGE, P., ZEELENBERG, M., & VERLEGH, P. W. J. (2018). Putting The Public Back In Behavioral Public Policy. Behavioural Public Policy, 2(2), 218–226. Https://Doi.Org/10.1017/Bpp.2018.23

Dewi, R. R., & Kurniawan, T. (2019). MANAJEMEN PERUBAHAN ORGANISASI PUBLIK : MENGATASI RESISTENSI PERUBAHAN. NATAPRAJA. Https://Doi.Org/10.21831/Jnp.V7i1.24599

DW Indonesia. (2023). Alasan Warga Aceh Kini Tolak Kedatangan Pengungsi Rohingya. DW Indonesia. https://www.dw.com/id/alasan-warga-aceh-kini-tolak-kedatangan-pengungsi-Rohingya/a-67446138

Erisen, C., & Uysal, D. M. (2024). Perceived threat, compassion, and public evaluations toward refugees. Political Psychology, 46, 321–344. https://doi.org/10.1111/pops.13010

Fakhrurrazi. (2023). Tenda Dibongkar, Warga Angkut Pengungsi Rohingya ke Kantor Wali Kota Sabang. https://www.rmolaceh.id/tenda-dibongkar-warga-angkut-pengungsi-rohingya-ke-kantor-wali-kota-sabang

Fara, K. G. (2025). The Impact Of Rohingya Ethnicity On Human Development In Indonesia. Universitas Darussalam Gontor.

Farahani, F. (2021). Hospitality and hostility: The dilemmas of intimate life and refugee hosting. Journal of Sociology, 57(3), 664–673. https://doi.org/10.1177/14407833211018511

Frahma, E. A. (2024). International Humanitarian Law Study of the Protection of the Rohingya Community in Indonesia. Jurnal Tana Mana, 5(2), 242–250. https://doi.org/10.33648/jtm.v5i2.479

Gardner, P. L. (1987). Measuring ambivalence to science. Journal of Research in Science Teaching, 24(3), 241–247. https://doi.org/10.1002/tea.3660240305

Gilbert, D. T., Fiske, S. T., & Gardner, L. (1998). The Handbook of Social Psychology. McGraw-Hill.

Hilmansyah, H. (2025). Analysis of the Threat of Social Conflict on the Arrival of the Rohingya Ethnicity in the Aceh Province Region. 02(01), 99–111.

Kamruzzaman, P., Siddiqi, B., & Ahmed, K. (2024). Navigating the shift in Bangladeshi host community’s perceptions towards the Rohingya refugees: a declining sympathy. Frontiers in Sociology, 9, 1–14. https://doi.org/10.3389/fsoc.2024.1346011

Karantzas, G. C., Simpson, J. A., & Pizzirani, B. (2022). The loss of humanness in close relationships: An interpersonal model of dehumanization. Current Opinion in Psychology, 46, 101317. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.copsyc.2022.101317

Kierans, C., & Kirsten, B. (2017). Cultivating ambivalence: Some methodological considerations for anthropology. HAU: Journal of Ethnographic, 7(2), 23–44. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315839165-18

Krida, G. W., & Rusadi, U. (2025). Media Narratives and Social Exclusion : A Structuration Analysis of Rohingya Refugee Coverage in Indonesia. Sinergi International Journal of Communication Sciences, 3(1), 16–28.

Landrum, A. R., & Lull, R. B. (2017). COMMENTARY: Stop preaching to the converted. Nature Climate Change, 7(8), 538–540. https://doi.org/10.1038/nclimate3355

Landry, M. D., & Tupetz, A. (2018). Disability and the Rohingya Displacement Crisis: A Humanitarian Priority. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 99(10), 2122–2124. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apmr.2018.06.005

Lemay, I. (2019). An “Alan Kurdi” Effect? Analyzing The Politics Of Openness In Germany During The 2015-2016 Refugee “Crisis.” McGill Univeristy.

Mamman Aliyu Salisu. (2025). De-Radicalization Programs and their Impact on Inmate Behavior: A Pathway to Rehabilitation and Social Integration in Nigeria. Journal of Arts and Sociological Research. https://doi.org/10.70382/ajasr.v7i6.010

Munirah, M., Jannah, R., & Noor, M. (2025). The Power of Social Media : A Narrative Analysis of Rohingya Refugee Rejection on TikTok. KOMUNIKA, 19(1), 47–58.

Omara, C. J., Alidri, A., Okello, S., Ochen, P., & Kabwijamu, P. (2025). Street Language and Social Survival in Gulu City: Insights from Aguu, the Socially Excluded Youth. East African Journal of Arts and Social Sciences, 8(1), 53–66. https://doi.org/10.37284/eajass.8.1.2590

Perray-Redslob, L., & Morales, J. (2022). Resisting accounting in the name of discipline. Accounting, Auditing and Accountability Journal.

Prasetya, A. (2023). Ratusan Mahasiswa dan Warga Sabang Kembali Demo Tolak Pengungsi Rohingnya. https://aceh.tribunnews.com/2023/12/18/ratusan-mahasiswa-dan-warga-sabang-kembali-demo-tolak-pengungsi-rohingnya

Rahman, M. (2021). Community’s Perspectives on the Attendance of Rohingyas in Aceh. Proceedings of the International Conference on Social Science, Political Science and Humanities, 495(June 2020), 128–132. https://doi.org/10.2991/assehr.k.210125.022

Rahman, M. Z., & Dodul, D. H. (2020). Causing Security Threat to Host State by Refugees: Context of Rohingya Refugees in Bangladesh. Global Journal of Human-Social Science, 23–29. https://doi.org/10.34257/GJHSSAVOL20IS18PG23

Ramadhani, M. F., Anastasia, V., & Belinda, B. (2024). Analisis Wacana Kritis Representasi Pengungsi Rohingya Dalam Narasi Video Dan Komentar Di Youtube. Communicology: Jurnal Ilmu Komunikasi, 12(2), 244–268.

Ratusan Mahasiswa Usir Rohingya di Aceh. (2023). https://www.voaindonesia.com/a/ratusan-mahasiswa-usir-rohingya-di-aceh/7414264.html

Rea, A., Martiniello, M., Mazzola, A., & Meuleman, B. (2019). The Refugee Reception Crisis in Europe: Polarized Opinions and Mobilizations. Universite de Bruxelles.

Rizqiah, K., Mahroza, J., Tumanggor, M., Suwito, S., Murtiana, S., Patmi, S., & Prakoso, L. Y. (2024). Impacts, Challenges, And Opportunities Of Rohingya Immigrants For Aceh’s Regional Economy And Indonesia’s National Security. International Journal Of Humanities Education and Social Sciences (IJHESS), 3(6), 3107–3122. https://doi.org/10.55227/ijhess.v3i6.1099

Saka, P. A., Saka, Z. A. J., & Cahyani, N. (2024). Acehnese Resistance to Rohingya Muslim Refugees in the Digital Age. Satya Widya: Jurnal Studi Agama, 7(2). https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.33363/swjsa.v7i2.1171

Siregar, M. P. R. (2024). Indonesia’s Response to Rohingya Refugees in the Perspective of International Law in 2023. The Easta Journal Law and Human Rights, 2(02), 51–58. https://doi.org/10.58812/eslhr.v2i02.197

Slingerland, S., Köse, M., & Wolf, F. (2022). Resistance to Sustainability Policies and the Role of Public Participation: Key Lessons, Challenges, and Research Needs. SSRN Electronic Journal. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4194403

Snegha, J., & Sudha, M. (2025). Exploring the Adverse Impact of Smartphone Use on Young Individuals’ Self-Esteem: A Structural Equation Modeling Approach based on Five Temperaments. Engineering, Technology & Applied Science Research, 15(1), 19793–19801. https://doi.org/10.48084/etasr.9369

Sudheer, N., & Banerjee, D. (2021). The Rohingya refugees: a conceptual framework of their psychosocial adversities, cultural idioms of distress and social suffering. Global Mental Health, 8, e46. https://doi.org/10.1017/gmh.2021.43

Sun, Q., Jiang, N., Qiu, Y., & Li, F. (2025). Internalized homonegativity and social network dependence in young Chinese gay men: multiple mediating effects of sexual orientation concealment, expectations of rejection and self‐esteem. Asian Journal of Social Psychology, 28(1). https://doi.org/10.1111/ajsp.70000

Susetyo, H., & Chambers, P. (2021). Repatriation for Rohingya asylum seekers in Indonesia: a durable but almost impossible solution. Asian Affairs: An American Review, 48(1), 63–84. https://doi.org/10.1080/00927678.2020.1833414

Taib, M., Ali Buto, Z., Fithra, H., Alwi, S., Iqbal, M., & Safitri, M. (2024). Implementation of the Non-Refoulment Principle in Indonesia: A Case Study of Rohingya Refugee Protection in Aceh. Al-Daulah: Jurnal Hukum Dan Perundangan Islam, 14(1), 86–106. https://doi.org/10.15642/ad.2024.14.1.86-106

Utami, D. W., Saleh, R., & Oktafiani, I. (2018). Indonesia’s Constitutional Immigration Policy: A Case of Rohingya Ethnic Group Refugees. Journal of Indonesian Social Sciences and Humanities, 8(2), 119–132. https://doi.org/10.14203/jissh.v8i2.84

Warga di Sabang Tolak Imigran Rohingya yang Baru Mendarat di Pesisir. (2023). https://www.cnnindonesia.com/nasional/20231122125104-20-1027504/warga-di-sabang-tolak-imigran-rohingya-yang-baru-mendarat-di-pesisir

Zildjianda, R., Santriana, S., & Atika, B. N. (2025). Implementation of the Principle of Non- Refugee in Handling Rohingya Refugees in Indonesia. Civic Education Perspective Journal, 5(1), 29–41.

Ambivalence in Rejection Toward Rohingya Refugees in Aceh

Between Humanitarianism and Insecurity

Abstract

References