Rising Risks for Undocumented Workers Indonesia’s ambassador to Malaysia, Datuk Indera Hermono , has issued a strong warning to citizens, u...
Rising Risks for Undocumented Workers
Indonesia’s ambassador to Malaysia, Datuk Indera Hermono, has issued a strong warning to citizens, urging them not to seek illegal employment in Malaysia. He highlighted increasing risks faced by undocumented workers, especially those in the domestic and household sectors, where cases of unpaid wages, abuse, exploitation, and lack of medical assistance are frequently reported.
Stricter Crackdowns and Immediate Deportations
The ambassador noted that Malaysian authorities intensified their crackdown on undocumented migrants (PATI) last year. Arrested individuals face immediate deportation, and many are forced to stay at airports for several days due to flight delays.
He added that in recent months, numerous Indonesian nationals have faced NTL (Not-To-Land) decisions at Malaysian airports due to suspicious employment intentions. Malaysia has also launched a new agency, AKPS, to strengthen border security and screen high-risk individuals.
Warning for Domestic Workers
According to Hermono, about 95% of reported abuse cases involve undocumented domestic workers, most of whom are women. He stressed that illegal work exposes individuals to exploitation and prevents them from accessing legal protection mechanisms.
Legal Pathway is Safer and Cheaper
The ambassador urged all jobseekers to follow legal recruitment procedures, explaining that the legal route is far cheaper than illegal channels, as registered agencies and employers are not allowed to charge excessive fees.
He also emphasized that Indonesia and Malaysia have an existing agreement to protect domestic workers, but its benefits are available only to those who travel legally.
Stronger Profiling Suggested
Hermono called on Indonesian immigration authorities to implement stricter profiling for outbound travelers to reduce the number of citizens who end up working illegally abroad.
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