Legislator Demands Government Provide Protection for Indonesian Seafarers in Strait of Hormuz
MEMBER of Commission IX of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Vita Ervina, has urged the government to immediately take swift, coordinated, and transparent measures to address the case of three missing Indonesian crew members (ABK) in the Strait of Hormuz. The incident occurred following the explosion of the tugboat Musaffah 2 on Friday, 6 March.
Vita assessed that the escalation of conflict in the Middle East, particularly tensions between Iran, the United States, and Israel, which have impacted the stability of the Strait of Hormuz, has created fatal risks to the safety of Indonesian migrant workers (PMI) in the maritime sector.
“The safety of Indonesian nationals, particularly Indonesian migrant workers employed as crew members, must be the state’s top priority. The government must ensure that the search process is conducted maximally and provide full support to the families of the victims,” she said.
She further assessed that the incident served as a serious reminder that Indonesian migrant workers employed in regions with high conflict risk require a stronger protection system. This includes placement procedures, monitoring of working conditions, and risk mitigation in conflict-prone areas.
The PDI Perjuangan faction member also requested the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Protection of Indonesian Migrant Workers (KP2MI), and related institutions to strengthen coordination with local authorities and shipping companies to ensure the search process proceeds optimally.
“The state must be present in reality. Cross-ministerial coordination and diplomacy with local authorities must be conducted intensively so that the search can quickly find clarity,” she said.
As part of its supervisory function, Commission IX of the Indonesian House of Representatives will continue to closely monitor developments in this case. Vita urged a comprehensive evaluation of the system for placing PMI workers on international shipping routes prone to geopolitical conflict.
“This incident should not be treated as an ordinary occurrence. The government needs to strengthen risk mitigation systems and protection for Indonesian migrant workers to ensure their safety is better guaranteed amid uncertain global geopolitical dynamics,” she concluded.