200 Indonesian Migrant Workers Returned From Malaysia Infected With COVID-19

PMI from Malaysia who was repatriated to Indonesia through the Port of Sri Bintan Pura Tanjungpinang (Photo: Nikolas Panama/Antara)

JAKARTA - As many as 200 of the 14 thousand Indonesian migrant workers (PMI) from Malaysia who were sent home via Batam and Tanjungpinang contracted COVID-19.

"Of the 14 thousand PMIs who were sent back to Indonesia via Batam and Tanjungpinang in January-April 2021, 200 people among them were infected with COVID-19. This was revealed based on the results of the examination of the PCR method on PMI who had just arrived in Batam," said Tengku Said Arif Fadillah, Chief Executive of the Riau Islands COVID-19 Handling Task Force, in Tanjungpinang, as reported by Antara, Tuesday, May 4.

Arif said that the number of PMIs from Malaysia who had been repatriated via Batam was far more than Tanjungpinang. The Riau Islands Provincial Government has reminded the relevant agencies that the PMI handling pattern, such as the examination of the PMI swab test, is carried out quickly.

"The PCR examination results must be known in a day at most, do not take days because it can cause problems," he said.

A total of 142 PMIs from Malaysia entered Batam, seven of whom contracted COVID-19. All PMIs who contracted COVID-19, but without symptoms, were isolated at the Galang Infection Special Hospital.

"On May 11, 2021, more than 140 PMI people from Malaysia were sent home via Tanjungpinang," he said.

Arif said PMI's arrival did not only cause concern for them to carry COVID-19, and adds to the burden on regional finances. The cost of eating and drinking for PMI is borne by the Riau Islands Provincial Government, Batam City Government, and Tanjungpinang City Government.

The funds, according to information will be returned by BNPB after an audit by BPKP.

"At least five days PMI must be isolated in Batam and Tanjungpinang. If contracting COVID-19, it could be more than that," he said.