Over 7,000 Indonesian Migrant Workers in Malaysia Waiting for Repatriation

PADANG, KOMPAS.com - Head of the Indonesian Migrant Workers Protection Agency (BP2MI) Benny Rhamdani said his office had proposed to the Indonesian House of Representatives to bring home a total of 7,300 Indonesian migrant workers in Malaysia by ship.

"I brought up the issue during a meeting with the parliamentarians that they [Indonesian migrant workers] should be brought home from Malaysia by ship. They are our citizens that we need to protect," said Benny.

The workers were previously detained for having incomplete immigration documents and expired permits. They are currently awaiting repatriation after serving detention from the local government.

Also read: Migrant Worker Buried in Malaysia As Family Had No Money to Bring Her Body Home to Indonesia

"As of June, there are 7,300 Indonesian migrant workers who must be repatriated after serving a period of immigration detention," Benny told Kompas.com, Monday, June 7, in Padang, West Sumatra.

He added in the following month the number of migrant workers could increase.

"They are still waiting for the Malaysian court's decision. Next month, the number will certainly increase," said Benny.

Benny initially came to Padang with a member of the House Commission IX Suir Syam to familiarize Law No. 18/2017 on the Protection of Indonesian Migrant Workers.

Also read: 200 Indonesian Migrant Workers Returning From Malaysia Test Covid-19 Positive

Meanwhile, Suir Syam said that the House members had visited Malaysia and met with the Prime Minister of Malaysia to discuss the issue.