Natuna resident’s death highlights new recruitment risks facing irregular overseas workers.
Authorities in Indonesia’s Riau Islands are expanding warnings about risky overseas job offers after the death of a Natuna resident who reportedly joined a foreign military unit during the Russia-Ukraine war.
Natuna Resident’s Death Raises Alarm
Rendi Apriyanto from Natuna Regency was reported killed while serving as a mercenary in the Russia-Ukraine war after being drawn by the prospect of a high salary. Riau Islands BP3MI head Sr. Comr. Imam Riyadi said Rendi was not registered in Indonesia’s official migrant-worker database, while the Foreign Ministry coordinated with the Indonesian Embassy in Russia to trace his movements and the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Immigration Says Departure From Indonesia Was Legal
Riau Islands Immigration chief Guntur Sahat Hamonangan said Rendi formally departed Indonesia through Soekarno-Hatta International Airport for Dubai, meaning his exit from Indonesia itself was legally recorded. Guntur said Rendi’s onward journey from Dubai to Russia used local diplomatic and immigration channels.
Thousands of Irregular Departures Prevented
Authorities prevented 3,160 nonprocedural migrant-worker departures from the Riau Islands between 2024 and 2026. BP3MI data also recorded 3,948 migrant-worker-related cases as of September 2026, including 2,910 deportations, 871 prevented departures and 93 repatriations. Officials said residents from the province have previously been found working illegally in Malaysia or at online scam centers in Cambodia.
Officials Warn Against High-Salary Recruitment Offers
Immigration authorities urged residents to carefully verify overseas job offers advertised through social media or unofficial recruitment agents, including the recruiter’s credibility, destination, employment contract and legal consequences. Guntur said agencies are strengthening coordination and information sharing to prevent passport misuse and reduce exposure to human trafficking, exploitation and other security risks. The report also noted that Indonesian law provides for loss of citizenship when an Indonesian voluntarily serves in a foreign military under circumstances covered by the citizenship law.
Batam Training Program Offers Legal Alternative
BP3MI is also expanding prevention through skills development and legal employment pathways. One initiative, SMK Go Global at SMKN 2 Batam, has opened two classes with 40 participants, about 90 percent of them Riau Islands residents. The program provides certification, accommodation, allowances and official overseas placement opportunities, including in Turkey, with BP3MI saying formal skills, visas and employment contracts can reduce workers’ vulnerability to dangerous illegal offers.
The Rendi case has widened concerns in the Riau Islands from conventional irregular migration and scam-center recruitment to the risk of foreign military recruitment. For Indonesians, authorities are emphasizing legal migration channels, verified contracts and stronger worker preparation before departure. For Singaporeans, the case offers insight into emerging migrant-worker risks in the neighboring Riau Islands, particularly Batam and Natuna.
Sources: Asia News Network (2026) , The Jakarta Post (2026)
Keywords: Riau Islands Migrant Workers, Foreign Military Recruitment, Natuna Worker, Illegal Recruitment Indonesia, BP3MI Riau Islands, Russia Ukraine War
