Indonesia has brought back 33 of its migrant workers from Malaysia as part of a coordinated repatriation effort led by the Indonesian Migrant Workers Protection Agency and the Indonesian Consulate General in Penang. The return included several vulnerable individuals who needed special care. Fifteen of the workers arrived at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Tangerang, Banten, on Wednesday, November 5, 2025.
According to Muh Fachri, the Director General of Empowerment at KP2MI, many of the returnees are women, and some of them have physical or mental health conditions. He explained that these individuals will undergo thorough health checks and psychological evaluations at a safe shelter provided by the government.
Those who require medical treatment will be taken to the National Police Hospital for professional care. After their assessments, the workers will receive support to return to their hometowns so they can reunite with their families and begin rebuilding their lives.
Most of the workers were deported because they violated Malaysia’s immigration laws. Many had left Indonesia through unofficial channels and worked without proper legal documents. As a result, they were detained by Malaysian police and immigration authorities. Some of those who served prison sentences are now banned from returning to Malaysia for work for the next five years.
The repatriation process was carried out through three airports to ensure smoother travel arrangements. Fifteen people landed in Jakarta, sixteen arrived in Medan via Kualanamu Airport, and two reached Aceh through Sultan Iskandar Muda Airport. This helped the government place workers closer to their home regions.
Among the returnees were vulnerable individuals. This included those who were sick, pregnant, or had spent many months in immigration detention with no support. Some of the group returned in weak health, highlighting the difficult situations many undocumented workers face abroad.
Fachri noted that KP2MI’s presence at the airport, along with the Directorate of Return and Rehabilitation, is a sign that the Indonesian government remains committed to protecting its citizens wherever they are. He emphasized that the state will continue to support them through recovery and reintegration.
He stated that the goal is not only to bring citizens home, but to ensure they receive the care and dignity they deserve as they transition back to normal life.