KJRI Kinabalu facilitates return of 144 Indonesian nationals from Malaysia
The Consulate General of the Republic of Indonesia (KJRI) in Kota Kinabalu has facilitated the repatriation of 144 Indonesian citizens (WNI) and Indonesian migrant workers (PMI) from Sabah, Malaysia, to Nunukan, North Kalimantan.
According to an official statement from the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs received in Jakarta on Friday, the group comprised 107 adult men, 25 adult women and 12 children. Most of them originated from South Sulawesi and East Nusa Tenggara.
All of the Indonesian citizens and migrant workers had completed immigration processing at three Immigration Detention Depots (DTI) in Sabah.
They were repatriated on 20 August via Tawau Port, Sabah, to Tunon Taka Port in Nunukan.
Upon arrival in Nunukan, the Indonesian nationals underwent identity verification, health checks and temporary accommodation at the Nunukan flats before being facilitated to return to their home regions.
The repatriation process proceeded smoothly thanks to coordination between KJRI Kinabalu, Malaysian Immigration and the Indonesian Migrant Worker Protection Service Centre (BP3MI) in Nunukan.
Nevertheless, officers encountered obstacles during the verification process due to data discrepancies and the lack of up-to-date civil registration documents held by the Indonesian nationals.
KJRI Kinabalu continues to urge Indonesian citizens in Malaysia to carry valid documents and comply with applicable immigration regulations in order to strengthen protection and prevent non-procedural departures.
Recently, the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs also facilitated the return of a number of Indonesian citizens from Malaysia. KJRI Johor Bahru repatriated 307 Indonesian nationals from Johor to Batam, Riau Islands, on 18 August.
Of that number, 300 Indonesian citizens were immigration detainees repatriated through the Malaysian government’s deportation programme, namely the M JIM Putrajaya Programme.
Meanwhile, seven other Indonesian nationals, consisting of four fishermen from the Anambas Islands, two Indonesian migrant workers in vulnerable conditions and a 10-year-old child, were repatriated for other reasons.