Indonesian Consulate General in Johor Bahru repatriates 232 Indonesian migrant workers via Batam

Batam (ANTARA) - The Consulate General of the Republic of Indonesia (KJRI) in Johor Bahru, Malaysia, facilitated the repatriation of 232 Indonesian Citizens (WNI) and Indonesian Migrant Workers (PMI) from Malaysia via Batam, Riau Islands (Kepri).

The Head of the Joint Representation Protection Task Force (Satgas PPT) of KJRI Johor Bahru, Jati H Winarto, stated that KJRI Johor Bahru provided special assistance to ensure their return proceeds safely and with dignity.

“KJRI Johor Bahru always strives to accompany every repatriation process, and this is part of our commitment to services that prioritise humanitarian principles,” he said in an official statement received in Batam on Friday.

“The group consists of 176 men, 54 women, one toddler boy, and one male infant, with the majority originating from North Sumatra, Aceh, West Nusa Tenggara, East Java, and Riau,” he added.

The repatriation was carried out in two stages. On 7 May, 82 WNI/PMI were departed from Stulang Laut Port in Johor, and today, 8 May, 150 WNI/PMI were departed from Pasir Gudang Port in Johor to Batam Centre Port.

Among those repatriated were 6 elderly WNI/PMI and 2 boys.

A three-month-old male infant was repatriated with his mother, who had been detained at the Pekan Nenas Immigration Detention Depot (DTI) in Johor.

Additionally, a child aged 1 year and 4 months, born in Malaysia, was repatriated with his mother, who had completed her detention period.

Of the 232 WNI/PMI, 182 were repatriated using Travel Documents in Lieu of Passports (SPLP) as they lacked other travel documents.

KJRI Johor Bahru continues to work to expedite travel document processes for WNI in need, despite frequent challenges in the field.

For information, by May 2024, KJRI Johor Bahru has facilitated the repatriation of 2,212 WNI/PMI.

This success is inseparable from good synergy with the Malaysian Immigration Department (JIM), the Ministry of Indonesian Migrant Worker Protection (KP2MI) and its regional representatives, the Directorate General of Immigration, the Directorate General of Customs and Excise, and the Indonesian National Police.

“Collaboration among stakeholders is the foundation of every safe, orderly, and dignified repatriation,” said Jati.

“KJRI Johor Bahru will continue to be at the forefront, protecting every child of the nation striving to improve their living standards far from home,” he added.