Indonesian Embassy in Malaysia reminds that SPLP is not a work permit document
Kuala Lumpur (ANTARA) - The Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in Kuala Lumpur has reminded all Indonesian citizens (WNI) that the Surat Perjalanan Laksana Paspor (SPLP) is not a document for work permits or extending stays abroad.
“SPLP is only valid for one year and does not serve as a work permit,” said the Indonesian Ambassador to Malaysia, Raden Dato’ Mohammad Iman Hascarya Kusumo, during a podcast session at the Indonesian Embassy in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on Wednesday.
SPLP is a replacement document for damaged, lost, or expired passports when an Indonesian citizen is abroad. SPLP is also used as a document for a one-way return trip to the homeland.
Ambassador Iman explained that although it is only valid for one year, this does not mean SPLP is a valid document for extending the stay of Indonesian citizens in Malaysia.
“It does not mean it becomes permission to stay for another year, it does not extend. So, this is only to repatriate them to the homeland,” he said.
The Immigration Attaché at the Indonesian Embassy in Kuala Lumpur, Idul Adheman, during the podcast series, stated that Indonesian citizens holding SPLP can still be caught in raids if their stay permit has indeed expired.
“Indeed (SPLP) is valid for a year, but that does not mean they can stay here for another year, because it is not a stay permit. If there is a raid, they can be arrested,” he said.
In the podcast, the Indonesian Embassy in Kuala Lumpur specifically invited undocumented Indonesian citizens in Malaysia to immediately take advantage of the Migrant Repatriation Programme 2.0 as an initiative of the Malaysian Government, which is valid until 30 April 2026.
Through this programme, undocumented Indonesian citizens, including foreign workers who have stayed beyond their permit limits (overstay) in Malaysia, can apply for a check-out memo (COM) to the Malaysian Immigration Department to return to Indonesia without undergoing legal processes, at a much cheaper cost than the normal price.
To obtain the COM, undocumented Indonesian citizens can bring their passport or SPLP and show a return flight ticket according to the specified date.