7,300 Indonesian Migrant Workers Returned From Malaysia, House of Representative: Don't Let Case Import

Indonesian migrant workers/ Antara

JAKARTA - Member of the Indonesian House of Representatives of the PKS faction, Netty Prasetiyani Aher, asked the government to strictly supervise the repatriation of 7,300 Indonesian Migrant Workers (PMI) for the June-July 2021 period from Malaysia. Considering that the neighboring country is currently in total lockdown due to a surge in COVID-19 cases.

This is done to ensure that the PMIs are free from COVID-19 so that they do not cause new problems in the country.

"The government must provide maximum protection to all of our workers through coordination with related institutions and institutions. Screening must be carried out according to the SOP, especially at the entrances for PMI arrivals", said Netty to reporters, Tuesday, June 8.

Members of Commission IX of the Indonesian House of Representatives hope that the repatriation of PMI will not become an importation of COVID-19 cases in the country. This is because the situation in Indonesia is also worrying. After all, some areas have seen a spike in cases. Such as in Kudus, Bangkalan, Garut and Bandung.

This West Java legislator admitted that did not want PMI's return to be a trigger for the surge of COVID-19 from the family cluster, as happened in Bangkalan Madura, East Java.

Previously, the Syarifah Ambami Rato Ebu Hospital as one of the hospitals treating COVID-19 patients in Bangkalan said this family cluster was caused by PMI returning from abroad, mainly dominated by Malaysia.

"If there is an importation of cases from Malaysia again, this will worsen conditions in the country. The government must strictly oversee the repatriation of the PMI", said Netty.

To anticipate a more severe spike, Netty reminded the government to ensure the readiness of human resources and health infrastructure in the PMI repatriation process. For example, the process of testing, quarantine, and other immigration administration.

"Not only the technical aspect but what is more important is the moral and mental aspect of the officers in the field. Do not let the case of the use of used test equipment or the quarantine mafia be repeated, tarnishing Indonesia's good name", said Netty.