Johor state: Gateway for illegal labor<\/p>\n
JOHOR BAHRU, Malaysia (JP): For most illegal Indonesian
\nworkers in Malaysia, their adventure begins right here on the
\nsouthernmost tip of the Malaysian peninsula.<\/p>\n
The Malaysian state of Johor can be easily reached from the
\neastern coast of Sumatra and the tiny islands in the Riau
\narchipelago make ideal transit and stopping points. Johor is an
\nideal gateway for Indonesians intending to work in Malaysia.<\/p>\n
Most come in motor boats to sail across the Straits of
\nMalacca, a 15 minute journey. Some come posing as tourists,
\narriving on board the ferries that connect the industrial island
\nof Batam to Johor's Pasir Gudang port.<\/p>\n
Many Indonesians settle in Johor for the abundance of jobs,
\nwhile others move upward to Kuala Lumpur and other regions in the
\npeninsula.<\/p>\n
Aziz bin Abdullah, 43, was recently spotted disembarking at
\nPasir Gudang with his wife and three children.<\/p>\n
Aziz said he paid Rp 250,000 (US$113) for him and his family
\nto be transported from Batu Ampar on Batam Island to Johor.<\/p>\n
\"I've been in Johor for eight years. I returned to my home
\nvillage in Bawean, East Java, on the last Idul Adha holiday to
\nfetch my families. We are planning to stay permanently in Johor,\"
\nsaid Aziz, who works in a palm oil plantation in the federal
\nstate.<\/p>\n
Aziz and his family now live in one of the sprawling
\nIndonesian kampongs in Johor. In many cases these kampongs are
\nbuilt along ethnic lines, from Javanese, Madura, and Lombok to
\nAcehnese, Bataks, Minangkabau and Bugis. (rms)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/johor-state-gateway-for-illegal-labor-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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