Riau Islands BP3MI: Thousands Of Residents Of The Riau Islands Work Illegally In Cambodia Using Tourism Visa

The Riau Islands BP3MI facilitated the repatriation of illegal PMIs to their home areas through Hang Nadim Airport, Batam, in October 2025. BETWEEN THE Riau Islands ANTARA/HO-BP3MI

RIAU - Head of the Indonesian Migrant Workers Protection Service Center for Riau Islands Province (BP3MI Kepri) Kombes Imam Riyadi revealed that most illegal Indonesian migrant workers (PMI) from Riau Islands in Cambodia used tourist visit visas when entering the country.

"From the results of our communication with the Indonesian Embassy in Phnom Penh, there are around 5,000 Riau Islands residents in Cambodia, and almost all of them use tourism documents, not work," said Imam after a dialogue with RRI Tanjungpinang, Antara, Wednesday, November 5.

According to him, the mode used is to go through an official port as if to travel to Malaysia or Thailand, before being brought to Cambodia by a trafficking syndicate.

When they arrived in Malaysia or Thailand, they were waiting for international syndicates to be brought to Cambodia. From Thailand, they can go directly to Cambodia, Vietnam, to Myanmar," he said.

He said that the illegal PMIs were usually taken by closed car, so they did not know the route they had passed and did not even see each other.

Kombes Imam explained that the illegal workers were victims of a criminal act of trafficking in persons (TPPO) who were employed in the online gambling industry and online fraud (scamming) in Cambodia.

He emphasized the importance of tightening the control system for the departure of Riau Islands residents abroad so as not to become victims of TIP.

"Initial detection measures must be improved, by providing education to residents who want to go abroad, including digging up their true goals," he said.

BP3MI Riau Islands also provides guidance for victims of illegal PMI so as not to repeat similar actions. However, Imam regretted that there were still residents who returned to illegally after being sent home.

“Pada Oktober 2025, ada 39 warga Kepri korban TPPO yang dideportasi dari Myanmar dan Kamboja, serta empat orang dipulangkan dari Thailand,” ujar Imam.

"In October 2025, 39 Riau Islands residents were deported from Myanmar and Cambodia, and four people were sent home from Thailand," said Imam.