PMI From Garut Who Lost Contact For 3 Months Allegedly Arrested By Employer In Saudi Arabia Has Been Found

Member of Commission V DPRD West Java Enjang Tedi showed a photo of PMI from Garut Ela Lastari in Garut Regency, West Java some time ago. BETWEEN/Feri Purnama

GARUT - The Manpower and Transmigration Office (Disnakertrans) of Garut Regency, West Java said that an Indonesian migrant worker (PMI) from Garut who had been missing for three months because he was allegedly held captive by his employer was found in good health in Saudi Arabia.

"Alhamdulillah, it has been found, now its whereabouts are still at the police station in Saudi Arabia," said Head of the Manpower Placement Division of the Garut Regency Manpower and Transmigration Office Rahani Eka, quoted by ANTARA, Saturday, June 17.

PMI, a resident of Tarogong Kaler Subdistrict, Garut named Ela Lastari (40), reportedly left to work abroad illegally to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia in October 2022.

The woman was reported missing contact by her family for three months, then reported it to the police, members of the West Java DPRD, BP2MI, and local governments.

Until finally, he continued, the PMI could be found which had now been handled by BP2MI and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs representing the country.

"An inspection is being carried out by the BP2MI representative, his condition is in good health," he said.

The Indonesian government has now checked and coordinated with the government in Saudi Arabia to take care of the administration of the process of returning Ela to Indonesia.

"It is checking, then carrying out the administrative process for repatriation to Indonesia," he said.

The member of Commission V of the West Java DPRD, Enjang Tedi, who intensely assisted PMI from Garut, expressed his gratitude to be able to find Ela in good health and safety.

"Infonya Ela sedang dalam penanganan pihak kepolisian setempat, saya tentu bersyukur dan sangat baha perjuangan kita semua menemukan titik terangka, saya komitmen untuk terus mengawal Ela sampai pulang kampung," kata Enjang.

He said he was ready to carry out escorts to ensure Ela could return to Indonesia and meet her family, especially her young children.

"Of course I will continue to communicate, coordinate with the government, law enforcement officials and BP2MI for how so that Ela can immediately return to the country," he said.

Previously, Ela departed as PMI through illegal channels, as evidenced by the search results using a tourist visa, not working in October 2022.

Then Ela told her family that she was uncomfortable working, so she wanted to go and return to Indonesia.

Since the complaint, the family has not received any information on Ela's whereabouts, when she was checked at her employer's house, her employer reportedly had fled and her whereabouts were unknown.

However, finally the police in the country managed to find Ela, then taken to the police station, then coordinated with representatives of the Indonesian government to carry out the repatriation process to the country.