22 Prospective Illegal Migrant Workers Detained From Departing For Malaysia In Riau, 2 Perpetrators Arrested

BP3MI Riau thwarted 22 prospective illegal migrant workers who were about to be hired to Malaysia and arrested 2 suspects on Saturday (9/8/2025). (ANTARA/HO-KP2MI)

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Protection of Indonesian Migrant Workers (KemenP2MI) thwarted 22 prospective illegal migrant workers who wanted to be employed in Malaysia. Two men who dispatched them were arrested.

The precautionary action was based on the operation of the joint team of the Riau Indonesian Migrant Worker Protection Service Center (BP3MI) together with the Directorate of General Criminal Investigation (Ditreskrimum) of the Riau Police.

Head of BP3MI Riau Fanny Wahyu Kurniawan said the operation began with information on alleged criminal acts of trafficking in persons (TPPO) on Saturday (9/8) early morning, which the joint team immediately followed up.

"The team found five victims waiting for pick-up. Shortly thereafter, a white Toyota Avanza driven by the perpetrator arrived at the location and was immediately secured," he said, according to a statement from the Ministry of P2MI in Jakarta, Saturday, August 9 evening, which was confiscated by Antara.

"After 15 minutes, the team again secured the black Toyota Avanza driven by other perpetrators," he added in the statement.

Fanny said the two people who acted as pick-up and driver were secured from two cars that wanted to pick up 22 prospective illegal migrant workers, one of whom was a child.

From the results of the interrogation, the two perpetrators admitted that they had received orders from other parties to pick up and take the victims to the departure point in the Dumai-Bengkalis border Selinsing, before heading to Malaysia.

"After arriving at the pick-up point, the two perpetrators were secured by the police," said Fanny.

All victims were then taken to BP3MI Pekanbaru for data collection through the SISKOP2MI System before being returned to their respective areas of origin.

Meanwhile, the two perpetrators were detained at the Riau Police for further investigation. Fanny ensured that the police would investigate the possibility of the involvement of other parties in the TIP case.

Separately, P2MI Minister Abdul Kadir Karding reminded the importance of avoiding parties who often say "manis" in persuading people to work illegally abroad.

He emphasized that illegal departures are vulnerable to being victims of TIP, torture and exploitation.

Minister Karding said that the safety and protection of the rights of Indonesian migrant workers can only be guaranteed if they depart procedurally.

"We appeal to all people who want to work abroad to go legally. Do not believe the quick offer without official documents, because the risk can be very large," he said.