MoSA Reunites Yen Yen with Family in Indonesia

PONTIANAK (17 February 2024) - Mother's love endures forever. Tuo Moi was dumbfounded and appeared to be overjoyed with the arrival of her lone daughter. Yen Yen (22), who got in trouble in Malaysia, has safely returned home.

Yen Yen is a Problematic Indonesian Migrant Worker (PMIB) from Pontianak City who was deported from Malaysia for violating her work permit. Previously, Yen Yen traveled to Malaysia with her husband in February 2023. Yen Yen worked at a cell phone counter in Malaysia for 8 months before being arrested in November 2023 by Malaysian immigration police for unlawful labor. Since her detention, Yen Yen has been alone for nearly three months, without meeting or speaking with her family.

On 16 January 2023, the Ministry of Social Affairs (MoSA) assisted Yen Yen's return to Indonesia and temporarily housed her at the Protection House and Trauma Center (RPTC) Tanjung Pinang, as directed by Minister of Social Affairs Tri Rismaharini, who is committed to providing problematic Indonesian Migrant Workers with protection and Social Rehabilitation Services (ATENSI). At RPTC Tanjung Pinang, Yen Yen received basic needs, psychosocial services, and assessments.

Yen Yen was rehabilitated at MoSA's Antasena Center in Magelang before being returned home, based on the results of a brief assessment conducted by MoSA Social Workers to evaluate her background and needs a plan for the services to be provided.

To determine Yen Yen’s background and needs as a plan for the services to be provided, MoSA Social Workers carried out a brief assessment. Yen Yen was then rehabilitated at the Antasena Center of MoSA in Magelang before being sent home.

The Antasena Center in Magelang assisted Yen Yen and deemed her to be a vulnerable group member. The assistance provided includes residential and food services, guidance, psychosocial support services, moral assistance, individual counseling, and salon vocational therapy. Based on Yen Yen's interests and talents, which are quite capable in the salon sector, the Antasena Center in Magelang also facilitates Yen Yen to take salon courses outside of the center to further refine her skills and prepare her to work in a salon.

Yen Yen improved significantly after three weeks of rehabilitation and salon vocational therapy. Yen Yen, who was originally quiet and appeared closed off, began to open up, become cheerful, and express her desire to immediately return home to her elderly parents.

The Antasena Center in Magelang and the West Kalimantan Social Office coordinated and collaborated to trace her home addresses and parents. Then, on February 16, 2024, Yen Yen was transported back to her parents' home in Saigon Village, East Pontianak District, Pontianak City.

"It's been a long journey and wait, but thank God, Yen Yen can now return home. Father and mother no longer need to worry since Yen Yen has returned home. Hopefully, Yen Yen will improve her abilities and can soon work for the family," said Richa Nurhayati, a representative of the Antasena Center.

Antasena Center also gives Yen Yen ATENSI aid in the form of salon equipment to help her family's economy. With the help of the West Kalimantan Social Office and her family, Yen Yen has been registered to work at a salon.

"Thanks to the Ministry of Social Affairs, particularly the Antasena Center in Magelang, for their assistance and attention to Yen Yen. For three months, I couldn't sleep or eat because my thoughts were constantly on Yen Yen. Now my child has returned home. Thank you," said Tuo Moi, Yen Yen's birth mother, expressing gratitude.

MoSA will continue to optimize assistance, protection, and empowerment for Problematic Indonesian Migrant Workers.