4,166 Indonesian Citizens Repatriated by KJRI Johor Bahru as of September

The Consulate General of the Republic of Indonesia (KJRI) in Johor Bahru continues its efforts to facilitate the repatriation of Indonesian citizens (WNI) facing legal issues in Malaysia. As of mid-September 2026, a total of 4,166 Indonesian citizens have been returned through the KJRI Johor Bahru’s area of responsibility.

Recently, 150 Indonesian citizens were repatriated from the southern peninsula of Malaysia. The group consisted of 100 adult men, 48 women, one 15-year-old male teenager, and a one-year-old female toddler. Most were apprehended by Malaysian authorities for overstaying their visas and working without official documentation or permits.

This repatriation was made possible through cooperation with the M Division of the Malaysian Immigration Department (JIM) Putrajaya. A total of 1,776 individuals from the overall total were repatriated through this specific scheme, with all repatriation costs fully covered by the Malaysian Government.

The group departed from the Pasir Gudang International Ferry Terminal in Johor at approximately 1:30 PM local time, crossing to the Batam Centre International Port. The journey took approximately 1.5 to 2 hours.

Upon arrival in Batam, the Indonesian citizens were immediately met by a joint team consisting of the Batam Indonesian Migrant Worker Protection Service (P4MI), the Immigration Office, the Great Health Quarantine Centre, and other relevant agencies. They were directed to the Batam P4MI office for re-registration and psychosocial assistance before being returned to their respective home regions.

Leny Marliani, the Consular Function Performer at KJRI Johor Bahru, emphasised that this repatriation is not merely an administrative procedure, but an important momentum for the social reintegration of former migrants in their homeland. She also reminded the public to always use official government channels when intending to work abroad.

“Compliance with legal procedures is not a bureaucratic burden, but a fundamental guarantee of legal certainty, personal safety, and the protection of normative rights while working abroad,” she stated when confirmed on Thursday (17/9).