Post by : Shakul

Indonesia has repatriated 190 of its citizens from Malaysia ahead of the upcoming Idul Adha celebrations, allowing them to reunite with their families after being detained in immigration centers across Malaysia. The operation was coordinated by the Indonesian Consulate General in Johor Bahru and involved two separate ferry transfers to Batam in the Riau Islands.

According to officials, the deportees included 131 adult men, 51 adult women, four elderly individuals, and four children. Most of the repatriated citizens were migrant workers or undocumented Indonesians who had been detained for immigration-related violations in Malaysia. Authorities stated that many of them came from provinces including East Java, West Nusa Tenggara, North Sumatra, Aceh, and Bengkulu.

The deportees had previously been held at immigration detention depots located in Kemayan, Pahang; Pekan Nenas, Johor; and Lenggeng, Negeri Sembilan. Indonesian officials worked closely with Malaysian authorities to facilitate their return in a coordinated and humane manner before the important Islamic holiday.

The first group of 150 Indonesians was transported on Friday aboard the MDM Express ferry departing from Pasir Gudang Port. A second batch consisting of 40 individuals arrived on Monday using the Citra Legacy 5 ferry from Stulang Laut Port. Both groups arrived safely at Batam Center Port in Batam under supervision from consular staff and local authorities.

Police Commissioner Riza Sativa, who assisted the repatriation process at the Indonesian Consulate General, stated that ensuring the safety, dignity, and orderly treatment of deportees remained the top priority throughout the operation. Officials emphasized the importance of handling migrant repatriation with compassion and proper legal coordination.

The repatriation effort comes as millions of Indonesians prepare for Idul Adha, one of the most important religious holidays in the Muslim calendar. Authorities said helping citizens return home before the celebration was an important humanitarian objective, particularly for vulnerable individuals including elderly deportees and children.

Indonesia and Malaysia share close economic ties and a long history of labor migration, with hundreds of thousands of Indonesians working across plantations, factories, domestic services, and construction sectors in Malaysia. However, undocumented migration and labor permit violations continue to create challenges for both governments.

Analysts say the latest repatriation highlights the ongoing need for stronger migrant worker protections, legal employment pathways, and closer bilateral cooperation between Indonesia and Malaysia. Both countries continue to face pressure to improve labor conditions and ensure the humane treatment of migrant workers across the region.

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