Indonesian Workers from Malaysia Undergo Quarantine and Comply with Government Protocols

TANJUNG PINANG (March 26th 2020) - The Indonesian Ministry of Social Affairs through the Directorate General of Social Rehabilitation received the arrival of 114 Indonesian Workers (TKI) who were sent home from Malaysia at the Trauma Center Protection House (RPTC), Tanjung Pinang, Riau Islands Province, Tuesday, March 24th.

These TKIs are Indonesian Citizens of Human Trafficking Victims Migrant (WNI M KPO) who were received from the Immigresen Depot Pekan Nanas, Negeri Johor, Malaysia. They were sent home because of several reasons, including not meeting the document requirements, procedures and exceeding the time limit of stay.

"Following up on the direction of the Minister of Social Affairs Juliari P. Batubara so that the Ministry of Social Affairs is proactively involved in overcoming the impact of COVID-19, then in the reception of Indonesian migrant workers from Malaysia we really follow strict procedures from the central government and have coordinated with the COVID-19 task force where the Ministry of Social Affairs is the a member according to Presidential Decree No. 9/2020," said Director General of Social Rehabilitation Harry Hikmat, Tuesday.

He explained that this repatriation had been carried out in accordance with the Indonesian Territory Entrance Protocol, which was to check the body temperature of Indonesian Citizen M KPO in the area determined by the officer. They are required to submit a Health Alert Card (HAC) or what is commonly known as a yellow card to the health officer at the port entrance.

Furthermore, he continued, they were asked to wash their hands using the available water and soap or alcohol-based hand wash. After that they are asked to use a mask when they have a cold or cough. The repatriation officer also informs about ethical matters when coughing / sneezing, contacting health workers who are available in the arrival area when feeling sick to get help, and not stigmatizing / discriminating between cross-border crossers from certain countries related to COVID-19.

"While at the RPTC they were given education by social workers and the Assistance Team about knowledge about COVID-19, its transmission and prevention. In addition there is supervision from the police in charge of controlling Social Distancing. Here they will be quarantined for 14 days," said the Director General.

During the quarantine period, he continued, the government provided basic necessities, including clothing, toiletries and women's and children's needs.

Previously, Indonesian citizens, M KPO, were picked up by assisting officers for repatriation at Batam Center port. They go to RPTC Tanjung Pinang to get services at the safe house and are obliged to attend a quarantine period of 14 days before being sent back to their place of origin. This procedure was carried out considering the condition of Indonesia which is being hit by the COVID-19 outbreak or known as the Corona Virus.

Regarding the return of Indonesian M KPO citizens to their areas of origin, the Ministry of Social Affairs has cooperation with PELNI and DAMRI. The Ministry of Social Affairs and the National Agency for the Placement and Protection of Indonesian Workers (BNP2TKI) are the government institutions responsible for the repatriation process based on Permenko PMK No.3 of 2016 concerning the Roadmap for the Return and Empowerment of Troubled Indonesian Workers.

Based on Minister of Social Affairs Regulation No. 30 of 2017 concerning the repatriation of Migrant Nationals of Human Trafficking from Malaysia to their Regions of Origin, states that the purpose of returning Indonesian KPO citizens is to return them to their areas of origin and reunite with their families, communities and social environment.

The Ministry of Social Affairs repatriates Indonesian M KPO through 2 debarkation points, namely Tanjung Pinang and Pontianak. The Ministry of Social Affairs’ Safe House in Tanjung Pinang, serves referrals from the Indonesian Consulate General in Johor Bahru and for the Pontianak Shelter, serves referrals from the Indonesian Consulate General in Kuching Malaysia.

In 2019, the Ministry of Social Affairs has repatriated 7,175 Indonesian KPO citizens to their areas of origin, which were references from the Indonesian Consul General in Johor Bahru and the Indonesian Consul General Kuching. Since January - March 2020, the repatriation of Indonesian M KPO citizens from 2 points of debarkation has reached 1,502 people from the target of 2,000 people in 2020.

RPTC is an institution that provides initial protection services and psychosocial recovery as well as recovery of traumatic conditions experienced by victims of violence under the coordination of the Directorate of Social Rehabilitation for Social Tuna and Human Trafficking Victims. RPTC is one of the safe houses that the Government of Indonesia is proud of at international meetings. In 2019 the RPTC has handled cases of shipments from 16 countries, with 26 human resources, all of whom are non-organic employees. With the motto of Working in Silence, RPTC always strives to provide the best service for the victims.