Johor bahru: The Consulate General of the Republic of Indonesia (KJRI) in Johor Bahru has absorbed the cost of ferry tickets and seaport taxes for 77 Indonesians repatriated from Malaysia to Batam, Riau Islands, today, in conjunction with the 80th anniversary of Indonesia’s independence.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the repatriation was carried out in cooperation with the Machap Umboo Immigration Detention Depot in Melaka, involving 71 Indonesian nationals and migrant workers, comprising 35 men, 34 women, and two girls, as well as an additional six categorized as vulnerable.

The six Indonesians categorized as vulnerable, comprising two men, three women, and a boy, were also assisted to return home after completing the immigration process.

‘We have also planned another three repatriation groups involving three different detention depots, with each group consisting of about 80 people,’ said Johor Bahru KJRI Consul Jati Heri Winarto.

The repatriation process was managed by the Johor Bahru KJRI Service and Protection Task Force (Satgas) via Stulang Laut Port, Johor Bahru, to Batam Centre Port, Batam. The group departed at 11 am today.

Upon arrival in Batam, they were handed over to the Batam Indonesian Migrant Worker Service Centre to be sent to their respective home regions.

KJRI reminded that Malaysia, as one of the main destinations for Indonesian migrant workers, has increasingly strict immigration and foreign labour regulations, and urged its citizens to adhere to the official recruitment and placement procedures.