Indonesian Consulate helps return of 100 detained nationals

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Indonesian Consulate General (KJRI) in Johor Bahru, Malaysia, on Saturday facilitated the repatriation of 100 Indonesian migrant workers and citizens who had been detained at the Kemayan Immigration Detention Depot in Pahang, Malaysia.

According to a written statement from the consulate’s Socio-Cultural Information (Pensosbud) section received in Jakarta, the deportees comprised 64 men, 31 women, and five children.

In collaboration with Malaysian immigration authorities, the KJRI repatriated the Indonesian nationals at around 10 a.m. local time via Pasir Gudang International Port in Johor to the Batam Centre Port in Batam City, Riau Islands Province.

Upon their arrival in Batam, the KJRI handed the returnees over to local authorities. They will be temporarily housed at a shelter managed by the Indonesian Migrant Worker Protection Service Post (P4MI) in Batam before returning to their respective hometowns.

Jati Heri Winarto, Head of KJRI’s Service and Protection Task Force, explained that the repatriation is part of bilateral cooperation between Indonesia and Malaysia to meet the target of repatriating 7,200 Indonesian citizens from the Malay Peninsula within two years.

As of June 28, the Johor Bahru KJRI has facilitated the return of 3,007 Indonesian citizens from Malaysia, he added.

The official then urged Indonesians planning to work abroad to pursue safe migration by adhering strictly to legitimate placement procedures to avoid potential legal issues.

"The KJRI in Johor Bahru remains fully committed to protecting Indonesian citizens and migrant workers. This is part of our ongoing humanitarian diplomacy," he emphasized.

The consulate general also extended its appreciation to the Ministry for the Protection of Indonesian Migrant Workers, the Riau Islands provincial government, and immigration authorities in Batam for their support in the successful repatriation of the 100 nationals.