KP2MI Prevents 51 Prospective Illegal Migrant Workers from Departing to Malaysia
JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - The Ministry of Migrant Worker Protection has thwarted the departure of 51 prospective Indonesian migrant workers (PMI) through non-procedural means, who were set to be sent to Malaysia from the Kramat Jati area in East Jakarta.
The Head of the Indonesian Migrant Worker Protection Service Centre (BP3MI) for DKI Jakarta, Kombes Arman Muis, stated that the case was uncovered following a public report regarding suspected non-procedural migrant worker holding locations.
“In response to the report, the BP3MI DKI Jakarta protection team conducted a search in the Kramat Jati area and discovered 51 prospective migrant workers who were to be sent to Malaysia without following official procedures,” Arman said at the BP3MI DKI Jakarta office on Friday (24/4/2026), quoted from Antara.
“Around 10:00 WIB, we secured 51 prospective migrant workers and found approximately 152 passports at the location,” he added.
Arman explained that the prospective workers were promised employment at a company in Malaysia.
However, based on the investigation, their departure process did not go through official channels.
“If they depart non-procedurally, they lack health guarantees, labour protection, and adequate communication access in case of problems in the destination country,” Arman stated.
He added that this preventive measure is part of the directive from the Minister of M2MI, Mukhtarudin, to ensure all migrant worker placements are conducted through official channels.
Of the total secured prospective migrant workers, 12 are women and 39 are men. They hail from various regions, including Lampung, Jambi, Medan, Central Java, West Java, East Java, Bengkulu, West Nusa Tenggara, Tangerang, and Central Kalimantan.
Currently, all prospective migrant workers have been taken to the BP3MI DKI Jakarta Friendly House for data collection and further investigation. The Ministry of M2MI through BP3MI DKI Jakarta will also strive to enable them to work abroad through official channels.
Arman emphasised that his side will continue to strengthen supervision to prevent non-procedural migrant worker placement practices.
“We urge the public not to be tempted by overseas job offers through non-procedural channels because the risks are very high,” he said.