Minister Karding's Deep Condolences For Nazwa Aliya Who Died In Cambodia, Remind Him To Be A Legal Migrant Worker

Illustration of criminal acts of trafficking in persons (TPPO). (Between)

JAKARTA - Indonesian Migrant Worker Protection Minister (P2MI) Abdul Kadir Karding expressed his condolences for the death of Nazwa Aliya (19), a migrant worker from North Sumatra, who died while in Cambodia.

"We express our deepest condolences to the bereaved family. This is a common concern," said Minister Karding, quoted in an official statement received in Jakarta, Wednesday, August 20.

KemenP2MI, said Karding, has coordinated with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia (KBRI) at Phnom Penh for the process of repatriating Nazwa's body to the country. Upon arrival in Indonesia, KemenP2MI will facilitate the entire repatriation process until the body arrives at the hands of the family.

"Once the body arrives in the country, it is entirely our responsibility to accept, deliver, and hand it over to the family at home," he said.

Furthermore, Karding reminded the public to be aware of fraudulent job vacancies abroad, especially those spread through social media.

He emphasized that job offers to Cambodia are often a cover for illegal practices, because Indonesia does not have a cooperation agreement for the placement of migrant workers with the Cambodian government.

The work in Cambodia is illegal. We don't want people to be tempted by the lure of high salaries at the beginning, but lead to fraud, exploitation, being victims of violence. The injury from being an illegal worker made an impression, not only for victims but also for families," he said.

According to Karding, migrant workers who depart legally will get legal protection and guarantee rights from the state. Their existence is also recorded in the SiskoP2MI system, making it easier for the government to monitor and assist when problems occur.

He also said that the official work departure requirements were not complicated. Apart from being an administrative requirement, documents such as work visas, work agreements, and family permits are also a mitigation tool for fraud under the guise of job vacancies.

"The completeness of the document is important so as not to get caught in a fake work trap that ends up endangering safety," said Karding.

Based on a report received by the Ministry of P2MI, the case that happened to Nazwa began with the victim's desire to work in Cambodia. The plan was opposed by the family, considering that there were many cases of crimes against illegal migrant workers in the Southeast Asia region.

However, Nazwa still departed in early May 2025. He had told his family that he wanted to take a job interview at a bank in Medan.

A few days later, the family was shocked when Nazwa reported that he was already in Bangkok, Thailand. After that, communication with his family began to be cut off.

In early August 2025, the family received information from the Indonesian Embassy in Phnom Penh that Nazwa was being treated intensively at State Hospital, Siem Reap Province, Cambodia. After four days of treatment, Nazwa was declared dead on Monday, August 12, 2025.

KemenP2MI suspects that Nazwa is a victim of illegal recruitment. The scheme experienced by the victim leads to indications of a criminal act of trafficking in persons (TPPO), which promises high income and uses formal legal mode to outwit the family. After the victim arrives abroad, communication is limited.