Gov't forms investigation team on migrant workers' shooting: House

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Oleh Soleh, a member of the Indonesian House of Representatives' (DPR RI's) Commission I, urged the government to form an investigation team to thoroughly investigate the shooting incident involving Indonesian migrant workers (PMI) in Malaysia.

"The Indonesian government must work hard to investigate the case thoroughly. Justice must be upheld, and it depends on the diplomacy carried out by the Indonesian government," he remarked in a statement from his office on Tuesday.

To this end, the House member called on all related agencies, including the Ministry of Protection of Indonesian Migrant Workers (KP2MI), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Police, and the Indonesian Defense Forces (TNI), to collaborate effectively on this issue.

In addition, Soleh highlighted the need for the government to send a diplomatic note to Malaysia.

He affirmed that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, through the Indonesian Embassy in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, must seek clarification from Malaysian authorities concerning the incident.

"Through diplomatic channels, the government must request Malaysia to be open in this case. Nothing should be covered up," he emphasized.

He also insisted that the government extend legal assistance to the victim and facilitate the repatriation of the deceased's body back to Indonesia. He also stressed that injured victims must also be brought back to their homeland for proper care.

Soleh expressed heartfelt condolences for the five victims involved in the shooting by Malaysian maritime officers, which resulted in one fatality and four injuries.

He condemned the shooting carried out by officers from the Malaysian Maritime Authority (APMM) on five Indonesian migrant workers.

"We are saddened by this incident. We hope the families left behind will find strength during this difficult time. This incident must not happen again," Soleh noted.

A group of Indonesian migrants was shot by APMM officers while allegedly attempting to leave Malaysia illegally on January 24.

Confirming the incident, the director for the protection of Indonesians of the Foreign Affairs Ministry, Judha Nugraha, stated the victims were likely shot after resisting arrest by APMM officers when their boat was intercepted.