Iran–US–Israel Conflict Widens, Golkar Urges Re-registration of Indonesian Migrant Workers

The Golkar party’s spokesperson for Commission IX of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI), Heru Tjahjono, highlighted the widening escalation of the conflict in the Middle East as the United States and Israel exchange attacks with Iran. He said the protection of Indonesian migrant workers (PMI) must be Indonesia’s top priority. He noted that, according to official data from the Ministry of Protection of Indonesian Migrant Workers (KP2MI) in January 2026, the number of Indonesian migrant workers in the region reached thousands. Specifically, Saudi Arabia recorded 8,308 workers, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) 1,439, and Kuwait 763. The majority work as domestic helpers, elderly care workers, and in the informal sector. “This figure is not small. Thousands of our migrant workers are in a region currently experiencing escalating conflict,” Heru told reporters on Thursday (5 March 2026). “The state must ensure their safety, as mandated by Law Number 18 of 2017 on the Protection of Indonesian Migrant Workers, particularly Article 6 which guarantees safety and security while working,” he added. Heru emphasised that the concrete steps needed immediately include reassessment of migrant workers who may be directly affected by the conflict. He urged Indonesian representatives through the Indonesian Embassies (KBRI) and Consulates-General (KJRI) in affected countries to re-collect data and closely monitor the ground conditions. “We urge the government, through KBRI and KJRI in host countries, to immediately establish a hotline or dedicated information centre for Indonesian migrant workers,” he said. He noted that such a service is important to ensure information on conditions, safety, and the needs of migrant workers, so that it can be monitored and updated periodically. Furthermore, Heru asked KP2MI to intensively coordinate with the Indonesian Migrant Worker Placement Companies (P3MI) to ensure the safety and monitoring of each worker. “The state must be present in a concrete manner, ensuring our migrant workers are protected and their families receive certainty in the face of a volatile global situation,” he concluded. Fifth day of the war in the Middle East Previously, the war in the Middle East entered its fifth day. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said on Wednesday (4 March) that they had launched about 40 missiles at United States and Israeli targets. “Some hours earlier, the seventeenth wave of operation ‘Honest Promise 4’ was carried out with the launch of 40 missiles by the IRGC air force, toward American and Zionist targets,” read the IRGC statement on state television, reported by Al Arabiya on Wednesday (4 March). No further details were provided about the attacks. Israel and the US have been carrying out air strikes against Iran since Saturday (28 February), which has prompted Iranian retaliation. Meanwhile, the President of the United States, Donald Trump, and other senior officials have warned that the Iran conflict will result in more American military deaths as Tehran responds to attacks by the US and Israel.