1 Illegal CPMI Thwarted From Departing At Batam Port, 1 Suspected Broker Also Arrested

The Batam Indonesian Workers Protection Service Center (BP3MI) thwarted the departure of prospective Indonesian migrant workers to Malaysia at the Batam Center International Port, Wednesday, July 23, 2025. (ANTARA/HO-KP2MI)

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Protection of Indonesian Migrant Workers (KemenP2MI) through the Batam Indonesian Workers Protection Service Center (BP3MI) again thwarted the departure of prospective Indonesian migrant workers to Malaysia at the Batam Center International Port, Wednesday, July 23, 2025.

Based on information received by the Ministry of P2MI, it was confiscated from Antara, in Jakarta, Thursday, July 24, the prospective female migrant worker named Meisy Ketsia Maleru (30), a resident of Sangihe Islands Regency, North Sulawesi.

Meisy was secured with a man named Ridwan, who is suspected of being the perpetrator of illegal placement alias broker and was about to accompany the departing victim.

Head of BP3MI Riau Islands Kombes Pol. Imam Riyadi said the arrests were carried out in collaboration with the Batam Port Area Police Criminal Investigation Unit (KP3).

The operation was carried out after initial information from BP3MI Central Sulawesi and BP3MI East Java, which previously secured another victim on behalf of Novylista Baleru in Surabaya.

Meisy and Novylista are brothers. Both were recruited by a woman named Eva who was in Malaysia.

"Eva allegedly arranged the departure of the victim and his brother by air on the Surabaya 'Batam' route, Malasia," explained Imam in an electronic message received in Jakarta, Thursday, July 24.

Meisy arrived in Batam on Sunday, July 20, 2025 and was picked up by an online motorcycle taxi ordered by Ridwan. The victim was then directed to a number of locations, including to apply for a passport at the Harborbay Immigration, facilitated by someone named Cici.

While in Batam, Meisy moved to the boarding house several times at the direction of Ridwan, who also accompanied her until the day of departure. Ridwan facilitated the purchase of ferry tickets and took the victim to the port.

"Both were secured shortly before the boarding process to Pasir Gudang, Malaysia," explained Imam.

Officers secured evidence in the form of passports in the names of Meisy and Ridwan as well as two ferries to Malaysia, including one mobile phone.

Imam ensured that his party would carry out further investigations and disclose the recruitment network.

The case adds to the list of illegal placement of Indonesian migrant workers.

BP3MI reminded the public not to be tempted by work promises abroad without official procedures.

Separately, the Minister for Protection of Indonesian Migrant Workers Abdul Kadir Karding always reminded prospective Indonesian migrant workers to work abroad through official and procedural channels.

Minister Karding also appealed to CPMI to find out about job vacancies abroad through KemenP2MI.

"For procedurals, please visit Indonesian migrant worker service offices in BP3MI districts or offices at the regional level or directly call the head office or to the existing Manpower Office," he said.