120 Troubled Migrant Workers Returned From Malaysia

Illustration - Dozens of Indonesian Migrant Workers (PMI) who were deported from Tawau, Malaysia arrived at Tunon Tana Port, Nunukan Regency. (ANTARA/HO-Dokpim Nunukan)

JAKARTA - A total of 120 Indonesian migrant workers in vulnerable groups detained in various Imigresen Depots (DTI) of the Peninsular Malaysia were repatriated to Indonesia and arrived in the country on Tuesday (12/12).

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the repatriation was facilitated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Indonesian Embassy (KBRI) Kuala Lumpur. This is the second batch of repatriation after 154 other migrant workers were sent home in the first batch in April 2023.

The 120 Indonesian citizens who were repatriated in the second wave consisted of 66 men, 38 women, and 16 children.

Of the total, there are 22 mothers and their children, seven elderly, one pregnant woman, and one sick person who needs further treatment.

Arriving in Indonesia, they were accommodated in shelters and centers owned by the Ministry of Social Affairs and the Indonesian Migrant Workers Protection Agency (BP2MI).

Indonesian citizens were previously serving their sentences for violating immigration rules in Malaysia. They were detained at the Imigresen Prisoners Depot (DTI) to wait for the deportation process.

DTI's dense and inappropriate condition makes Indonesian citizens and PMI vulnerable to disease, especially for the elderly, mother and child.

"The acceleration of the repatriation process for Indonesian citizens and PMI is carried out as an effort to reduce the vulnerability faced by Indonesian citizens in DTI, by prioritizing the elderly, mothers with babies, children, and people who are sick," he added.

The Indonesian government urges Indonesian citizens who want to work abroad to go through official procedures and not commit violations in the local country.