20 Illegal Workers from NTT Deported from Malaysia

A total of 20 illegal Indonesian migrant workers (PMI) from East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) have been deported from Malaysia. They have returned to Indonesia and arrived in Kupang on Saturday (5/9/2026).

“They arrived today,” said the Head of the NTT Indonesian Migrant Worker Protection Service Centre (BP3MI), Suratmi Hamida.

The 20 illegal migrant workers deported from Malaysia originate from several regencies in NTT. They consist of 10 workers from Lembata, one each from Alor and Nagekeo, and eight from East Flores.

“They were living in Malaysia without official documents. They were deported via East Malaysia, Saban, Nunukan, and Makassar, before finally arriving in Kupang,” explained Suratmi.

Upon arrival in Kupang, all the illegal migrant workers were immediately placed in the BP3MI NTT shelter temporarily. This accommodation is provided before they are sent back to their respective home regions.

“We will facilitate their return to their home areas, adjusting to the ship schedules,” Suratmi stated.

Suratmi urged the people of NTT who wish to work abroad to use official channels. Working through official procedures is essential to ensure legal protection and to avoid the risk of deportation.

“To date, BP3MI NTT data shows that 107 deceased migrant workers have been returned to NTT; 105 of them were non-procedural, while two were processed according to official procedures,” Suratmi added.