Indonesian protesters hurled eggs at the Malaysian embassy in Jakarta on Thursday, expressing outrage over the fatal shooting of an Indonesian migrant worker by Malaysian maritime authorities. The incident, which took place on January 24 in waters off Selangor state, left a 50-year-old man dead and four others injured after Malaysia’s Maritime Enforcement Agency (APMM) fired on their boat for alleged trespassing.
The demonstration, attended by nearly 100 people from labor unions and rights groups, took place outside the embassy in downtown Jakarta. Protesters demanded justice, holding signs that called for the prosecution of Malaysian officers responsible for the shooting. Egg stains covered Malaysia’s state symbol at the mission’s gate, reflecting the growing frustration over migrant worker treatment.
Indonesia’s Foreign Affairs Ministry has called for a thorough investigation, questioning the use of excessive force in the incident. The outrage intensified after a viral video surfaced, showing wounded Indonesian migrants in distress beside the body of their deceased colleague.
Rights group Migrant Care reported that at least 75 Indonesian migrant workers have allegedly been killed by Malaysian authorities since 2005. The organization urged President Prabowo Subianto to address the issue and not overlook such incidents for the sake of diplomatic ties.
During a state visit to Malaysia just days after the shooting, Subianto and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim pledged to strengthen bilateral cooperation, including addressing migrant worker concerns. However, protesters insist that concrete action is needed to prevent further violence against Indonesian workers in Malaysia.