Indonesians 'too poor' to flee

Indonesians 'too poor' to flee

KUALA LUMPUR (DPA): Indonesians have become too poor to afford
the high boat fares to be smuggled into Malaysia as illegal
workers, with southern Johor state recording zero landings of
Indonesian illegals last month, a Malaysian newspaper reported.

Instead, more Indonesian illegals now in Malaysia are trying
to sneak back home with their savings to avoid arrest by
Malaysian authorities, the New Straits Times reported.

A senior Johor police official said political and economic
problems in Indonesia, as well as a crackdown on hiring of
illegal foreign workers in Malaysia, were reasons for the drop in
arrivals.

Ajis Salimin said Indonesian illegals used to borrow money,
pawn their jewelry or sell property to pay boatmen to smuggle
them across the Straits of Malacca into Malaysia.

"Since times are hard, many are unable to find the money to
pay the (boatmen)," he said.

Ajis said Johor authorities have captured 270 Indonesians this
month trying to leave Malaysia, most of whom were found taking
home their savings after working there illegally.

Malaysia tightened security along its borders with Indonesia
after recording an influx early this year of Indonesians fleeing
political unrest and economic troubles at home.

About 4,000 Indonesians were detained in Johor in the first
quarter of 1998 alone, compared with 5,500 for the whole of last
year.