Indonesian Consulate in Kuching Facilitates Return of 419 Indonesian Citizens from Sarawak ahead of Eid
Kuala Lumpur — The Indonesian Consulate General (KJRI) in Kuching facilitated the repatriation of 419 Indonesian citizens (WNI) from Sarawak to the Indonesian border using five buses ahead of Eid al-Fitr 1447 AH.
The KJRI Kuching stated in a statement released in Kuala Lumpur on Friday that the transportation assistance was provided as part of a deportation process carried out by the Malaysian Immigration Office (JIM) in Sarawak on Thursday (12 March) and Friday.
The repatriation effort is expected to help Indonesian citizens, including migrant workers (PMI), who have completed their prison sentences in Sarawak to return home and celebrate Eid with their families.
Within two days, a total of 419 migrant workers were repatriated to Indonesia via the Tebedu crossing point to Entikong Border Post (PLBN), Sanggau District, West Kalimantan. Of the 419 repatriated Indonesian citizens, 349 were male and 70 were female.
The majority originated from West Kalimantan, East Java, Central Java, West Java, West Nusa Tenggara, and several other provinces.
The migrant workers had previously worked in various sectors in Sarawak, including construction, services, manufacturing, and plantations.
Indonesian Consul General in Kuching Abdullah Zulikifli explained that the provision of five buses represented the state’s concern for its citizens in difficult situations abroad.
“The provision of these buses is part of the KJRI Kuching’s commitment to helping Indonesian citizens return home more safely and with dignity. They have completed their legal and immigration proceedings in Sarawak and we hope with this assistance they can return home soon and celebrate Eid al-Fitr with their families in their hometowns,” Abdullah said.
“For many of them, this journey home is not merely a change of location but also an opportunity to rebuild their lives with their families. Therefore, the state must be present to ensure the repatriation process runs smoothly and with compassion,” he said.
Upon arrival at Entikong Border Post, the Indonesian citizens were handed over to the Indonesian Citizens Repatriation Task Force, comprising the National Border Management Agency (BNPP), Entikong Immigration, Border Health Quarantine, Entikong Police Precinct, and the Indonesian Migrant Workers Protection Service Post (P4MI) of Sanggau District for data collection and repatriation facilities to their home areas.
A total of 378 individuals returned to their home areas independently, whilst 41 others were provided assistance through the Indonesian Migrant Workers Protection Service Hostel (BP3MI) in West Kalimantan in Pontianak before continuing their journey to their hometowns.
According to KJRI Kuching’s records, as of Friday, the number of troubled Indonesian citizens deported by the Malaysian Immigration Office in Sarawak had reached 1,692 individuals, whilst 18 were repatriated directly by KJRI Kuching through a repatriation programme.