Assisted by Kang Dedi Mulyadi, Sumedang Regent Guarantees Safe Return of Stranded Citizens from Papua
Five residents from Wado District, Sumedang Regency, are currently stranded in Dekai District, Yahukimo Regency, in Papua’s mountainous region. Regent Dony Ahmad Munir has pledged to facilitate their safe return to their home village.
This assurance was provided after West Java Governor Dedi Mulyadi expressed his readiness to assist in the repatriation process for these workers.
The five Sumedang residents currently in Papua are Rahya Efendi, Dedi, Jaja, Yusup Maulana, and Dede Gunawan.
These residents departed for Papua on 14 February 2026 to work on a development project promised by a labour foreman. However, after nearly one month at the site, the foreman who had promised the work never appeared, leaving the workers without employment or wages as promised.
As a result, the workers faced severe difficulties meeting their daily needs whilst stranded at the location.
Upon learning of their plight, Regent Dony immediately contacted the workers via video call to assess their condition. The Regent also offered moral support, encouraging them to remain patient and maintain their health whilst awaiting the repatriation process being coordinated by the regional government.
“God willing, we will ensure these five residents return home. It is important that they remain calm and look after their health until the repatriation process is complete,” he stated.
The Regent expressed appreciation and gratitude to West Java Governor Dedi Mulyadi (known as Kang Dedi Mulyadi or KDM), who provided special attention and facilitated the repatriation process for the five Sumedang residents.
“The repatriation will be conducted via flights from Dekai Airport to Sentani Airport in Jayapura, then continuing to Soekarno-Hatta Airport in Jakarta before finally returning to Sumedang Regency,” he explained.
He stated that the Sumedang Regency Government is committed to overseeing the entire repatriation process until the five residents safely return to their home region.
Additionally, the Regent will provide provisions for the workers to support their needs during the journey home to Sumedang.
“The Sumedang Regency Government is committed to protecting our residents and ensuring that every citizen facing difficulties outside the region receives necessary assistance and support,” he said.
Regent Dony urged the public to be more cautious regarding job offers from outside the region that lack clarity regarding the company, employment contracts, or responsible parties in the field, so that similar incidents do not recur.