Ministry Of Human Rights Urges Malaysia To Be Responsible For Shooting Indonesian Migrant Workers

Photo: Doc. Antara

JAKARTA - The Indonesian Ministry of Human Rights (HAM) has urged clear legal accountability by Malaysia for the shooting incident of Indonesian migrant workers (PMI) involving the Malaysian Maritime Power Strengthening Agency (APMM) in Tanjung Rhu, Selangor.

The Director General of Human Rights Services and Compliance, Ministry of Human Rights of the Republic of Indonesia, Munafrizal Manan said that the shooting that resulted in the death of one Indonesian citizen, one critical person, and three other people being injured was an act that did not respect human rights values and principles.

"Urges for transparent and implicit legal responsibility by Malaysian law enforcement officials against the APMM officers who have taken this inhumane act," Manan said in a written statement, quoted by Antara, Wednesday, January 29.

The Ministry of Human Rights condemned the incident that occurred on Friday, January 24. Therefore, the Ministry of Human Rights encourages the Malaysian Human Rights Commission (SUHAKAM) to proactively, professionally and independently monitor the development of the case on the basis of human rights for all.

On the other hand, the Ministry of Human Rights encourages the Indonesian National Commission (Komnas) to proactively communicate and coordinate with SUHAKAM. Moreover, Komnas HAM RI and SUHAKAM established a memorandum of understanding in the field of human rights.

"Encouraging Komnas HAM RI to immediately discuss the inhumane events experienced by PMI in the National Human Rights Institution Forum in Southeast Asia (SEANF), where Komnas HAM RI and SUHAKAM are members," said Manan.

Previously, APMM shot a ship in the waters of Tanjung Rhu, Selangor, Malaysia on Friday, January 24, at around 03.00 in the morning local time. The shooting was carried out after ship passengers were suspected of resisting, causing one Indonesian citizen to die.

The Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia (KBRI) Kuala Lumpur stated that the victim who died with the initials B would be repatriated to Indonesia after undergoing an autopsy, while the other four victims had received treatment at the hospital.

Meanwhile, the Minister for the Protection of Indonesian Migrant Workers (P2MI) Abdul Kadir Karding said that the body of B from Riau would be repatriated on Thursday, January 30. The Ministry of P2MI has coordinated with the Riau Indonesian Migrant Workers Protection Service Center (BP3MI) and the local government regarding the repatriation of bodies.

The Ministry of P2MI condemned the incident and urged the Malaysian government to immediately conduct an investigation and take firm action against APMM patrol officers if they are proven to have taken actions involving the use of excessive force.