DPR Commission IX Calls for Evacuation of Indonesian Migrant Workers If US–Israel–Iran War Worsens
Deputy Chairman of Commission IX of the House of Representatives, Yahya Zaini, has urged the government to provide protection for Indonesian migrant workers (PMI) or Indonesian workers (TKI) in West Asian countries that are heating up due to the war between the United States (US) and Israel with Iran. He encouraged the Ministry for Protection of Indonesian Migrant Workers (KP2MI) to proactively coordinate with Indonesian embassies (KBRI) in the affected countries.
“I ask that the state be present to provide protection to ensure the safety of PMI in the Middle East and urge KP2MI to proactively coordinate with KBRI in the Middle East. Secondly, ask PMI to report to the local KBRI regarding their whereabouts,” Yahya told reporters on Wednesday, 4 March 2026.
He urged TKI to take shelter and stay in safe places. He asked labour attachés in Arabian Peninsula countries to proactively register PMI working in each country.
“Third, ask PMI to avoid strategic locations and shelter in safe places. Fourth, ask labour attachés in the Middle East to proactively register PMI working in each country and maintain communication with them,” he said.
He urged KP2MI and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Kemlu) to conduct diplomacy with the local countries. He also asked the government to prepare an evacuation plan for the TKIs if the situation worsens.
“Fifth, call on KP2MI together with Kemlu to engage in diplomacy with the local countries to ensure the safety of PMI in the Middle East. Sixth, if the situation deteriorates, ask KP2MI and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to evacuate them to a safe place,” he added.
Meanwhile, NasDem faction MP Irma Chaniago of Commission IX asked PMI in the Middle East to coordinate and report to the embassy so their positions can be monitored.
“WNIs should communicate with the embassy so their positions can be monitored by KBRI, but up to today, according to KBRI, Indonesian citizens are safe,” Irma told reporters on Wednesday, 4 March 2026.
Irma said the safety of PMI in the Middle East is important to protect. In the current situation, she wants PMI there to take the best possible steps.
“Of course, the safety of nationals and migrant workers is important for the country at this time to be protected. The Indonesian embassy in Tehran has already communicated with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on this matter,” she said.
“We as partners of the migrant ministry certainly do not forget to remind all Indonesian citizens to take the best steps, given the Tehran situation at present,” she added.
The US and Israel launched attacks on Iran on Saturday 28 February. The strike killed Iran’s top leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, along with senior military commanders.
Iran vowed to respond to the US and Israel. Iran then launched attacks on several US bases in West Asian countries such as Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait.
Iran also launched attacks on Israel. In addition to Iran, groups allied with Iran such as Hizbullah also launched attacks on Israel.