Foreign Ministry Reveals 4,882 Indonesian Citizens in Cambodia Requesting Repatriation Since January

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Kemlu) has disclosed the significant number of Indonesian citizens requesting repatriation assistance from Cambodia. More than 4,000 Indonesian nationals have sought to return home from Cambodia since January.

“From 16 January to 25 February, a total of 4,882 Indonesian citizens reported directly to the Indonesian Embassy in Phnom Penh and requested assistance with repatriation to Indonesia,” stated Heni Hamidah, Acting Director of Indonesian Citizen Protection at the Foreign Ministry, during a press briefing at the ministry’s headquarters in Central Jakarta on Friday (27 February 2026).

Hamidah explained that 4,680 Indonesian citizens have undergone preliminary assessment by the embassy, with the majority admitting to working professionally in online scam offices.

“Of the 4,882 Indonesian citizens, 4,680 have been assessed, and initial assessments by the Indonesian Embassy in Phnom Penh found no evidence of victims of human trafficking, with most in fact admitting they work professionally in online scam operations,” she stated.

Hamidah noted that over 1,000 Indonesian citizens have already returned independently. A total of 111 returned the previous evening.

“As of 25 February, approximately 926 Indonesian citizens have returned independently, and with the 111 who returned yesterday evening, the total has reached over 1,000 returning on their own,” she said.

“Currently, 900 Indonesian citizens remain in temporary shelters coordinated by the Indonesian Embassy and local authorities,” Hamidah added.