Jakarta, Indonesia Sentinel — Dozens of Indonesian workers gathered outside the Malaysia Embassy in Jakarta on Thursday, throwing eggs at the building to protest the recent shooting of an Indonesian migrant worker by Malaysian authorities. The demonstration, led by the Confederation of Indonesian Trade Unions (KSPI) and the Labor Party, demanded a transparent investigation into the incident and justice for the victim.
“We urge the Malaysian government, through its embassy, to conduct a serious and transparent investigation into this case. The police officer responsible for this brutal killing must be prosecuted and jailed,” said Rifki Mubarok, one of the protesting workers, in a televised statement on Metro TV.
The protesters expressed outrage over what they described as an unjustified killing of Basri, an Indonesian worker who was fatally shot by the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (APMM). According to Rifki, Basri and other Indonesian workers were unarmed and posed no threat when they were fired upon.
Indonesian Government Repatriates Victim’s Remains
In response to the incident, the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Kemenlu) repatriated Basri’s remains to his hometown in Pulau Rupat, Bengkalis Regency, Riau Province, on January 29, 2025.
“Basri’s body arrived on Wednesday afternoon at 3:35 PM local time at Syarif Kasim II Airport in Pekanbaru from Kuala Lumpur on AirAsia flight AK429,” the Indonesian Foreign Ministry stated in an official press release.
From Pekanbaru, the remains were transported by road to Dumai Port, followed by a ferry crossing to Pulau Rupat. Officials from the Indonesian Migrant Workers Protection Agency (BP2MI) assisted in the transportation and handover of Basri’s body to his family, where he was immediately laid to rest.
During the handover, representatives from the Foreign Ministry met with the family of another victim, identified as MZ, who remains hospitalized at Serdang Hospital in Malaysia. The ministry assured the family that they were closely monitoring MZ’s condition and providing necessary assistance. Four other Indonesian nationals who were involved in the incident are also receiving medical treatment in Malaysia.
Growing Tensions Over Migrant Worker Rights
This latest incident has reignited tensions between Indonesia and Malaysia over the treatment of Indonesian migrant workers. Malaysia is a major destination for Indonesian laborers, particularly in the plantation, construction, and domestic sectors. However, reports of abuse, mistreatment, and violence against Indonesian workers have been a persistent issue.
Labor rights organizations in Indonesia have long criticized Malaysia’s handling of migrant worker cases, accusing authorities of excessive use of force and inadequate protection. The shooting of Basri has further strained relations, prompting calls for stronger diplomatic pressure on Malaysia.
Read Also:
“These were civilians, not criminals. They were defenseless and should not have been shot in such a brutal manner,” Rifki stated during the protest.
The Indonesian government has pledged to ensure justice for the victims and is working with Malaysian authorities to push for a thorough investigation. Meanwhile, the labor unions have vowed to continue their protests until those responsible are held accountable.
(Becky)
