PMI's Body From NTT Dies Again In Malaysia, His Body Is Handed Over To Adonara

PMI from Adonara Island, NTT died in Malaysia, arriving at Kupang's El Tari Airport, Thursday (6/7/2023). (ANTARA/Aloysius Lewokeda)

The Indonesian Migrant Workers Protection Agency (BP2MI) Kupang has again received the body of an Indonesian Migrant Worker (PMI) who died in Sandakan, Malaysia.

BP2MI Kupang officer Lukas said the body named Niko Ola (54) was returned to his hometown on Adonara Island, East Flores Regency, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT).

"The body was transported by Garuda Indonesia plane and arrived at Kupang's El Tari Airport at around 13.00 WITA," he said in a statement, confiscated by Antara, Thursday, July 6.

He explained that the return process with PMI's family who died received the body, then transported by car to Bolok Port, Kupang Regency.

Furthermore, by using a ferry to Larantuka, the capital city of East Flores Regency, and then crossing to Adonara Island.

"Our officers also escorted the delivery of the bodies until they were handed over to the families in their hometowns," he said.

BP2MI Kupang noted that from January to July 6, 2023, 72 PMI bodies from NTT had been repatriated.

Head of BP2MI Kupang Siwa said that in general, the bodies returned from Malaysia work without going through official or illegal channels.

Despite his non-procedural status, he said, the government through BP2MI Kupang was still present to facilitate pick-up and deploy officers to deliver them to their hometowns.

"Every body was sent home by our officers, we still picked them up at the airport with a hearse to help deliver them to their destination," said Siwa.