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Massive Repatriation: 230 Indonesian Migrant Workers Deported from Malaysia via Johor

KJRI Johor Bahru facilitates largest repatriation of 2025 amid legal and immigration violations

KJRI Johor Bahru facilitated the largest 2025 deportation of 230 Indonesian migrant workers from Malaysia, highlighting immigration violations and the importance of legal compliance abroad.

Largest Repatriation of 2025

A total of 230 Indonesian citizens, including migrant workers (PMI) and their children, were repatriated from Malaysia on Thursday, June 12, 2025, in the largest deportation facilitated by the Indonesian Consulate General (KJRI) in Johor Bahru this year. The deportees consisted of 156 men, 67 women, 2 boys, and 5 girls from seven immigration detention centers across Peninsular Malaysia.

The group was divided into two departures:

81 individuals (48 men, 33 women) returned voluntarily via Stulang Laut International Ferry Terminal at 11:45 am.
149 individuals (including all seven children) were deported under Malaysia’s WNI Repatriation Programme via Pasir Gudang Terminal at 12:30 pm.

Detained Across Seven Malaysian Facilities

The repatriated individuals were previously held at immigration depots in:

Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur (39)
Lenggeng, Negeri Sembilan (19)
Tanah Merah, Kelantan (6)
Langkap, Perak (24)
Baranang, Selangor (23)
Semenyih, Selangor (7)
Pekan Nenas, Johor (112)

According to Leny Marliani, Consular Affairs Officer of KJRI Johor Bahru, most were deported for overstaying visas, lacking valid work permits, or other immigration violations.

Ongoing Deportation Programme

Indonesian citizens repatriated by the Consulate General in Johor Bahru arrive at Batam Center International Port. Credit: Indonesian Consulate General in Johor Bahru

This repatriation is part of Malaysia’s “Program Penghantaran Pulang Tahanan WNI”, launched in December 2024, which targets the deportation of 7,200 Indonesians over two years. With this latest batch, KJRI Johor Bahru has facilitated the return of 852 individuals under the program and 2,926 Indonesians overall since January 2025.

Reception and Processing in Batam

Deportants departed from 2 (two) different ports. Credit: Pos Metro Batam

Upon arrival at Batam Centre Ferry Terminal, deportees were received by Wahyu Probo Asmoro, coordinator of P4MI Batam, and processed at the temporary shelter managed by BP3MI Kepri. Some individuals, if already ticketed and awaited by family, were allowed immediate return to their hometowns.

Indra D Putra from BP3MI stated that the center expedites the processing due to limited capacity at the shelter. “If they’re picked up or ready to leave, we don’t keep them overnight,” he added.

Personal Stories of Hardship

Among those deported was Darius Damanik (45) from Tanjung Balai, North Sumatra. He had spent 10 months in prison and 3 months in a detention camp after being falsely accused in a drug case while working on a fishing vessel in 2024.

This large-scale deportation highlights the urgent need for migrant workers to adhere to immigration laws. For Indonesia, particularly regions like North Sumatra and Riau Islands, it underscores the continuing challenges faced by overseas workers. Meanwhile, Malaysia’s structured deportation efforts show a tightening of border enforcement and labor law compliance. The joint coordination between KJRI Johor Bahru and BP3MI Kepri remains crucial in ensuring humane, orderly repatriation and reintegration.

Sources: RRI (2025) , Antara News (2025)

Keywords: Indonesian Migrant Workers, Deportation Malaysia, KJRI Johor Bahru, Immigration Offenses, PMI Repatriation, BP3MI Kepri

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