Nunukan BP2MI Head F. J. Ginting noted here on Tuesday that the deportation is implemented under a scheme conceived by the Malaysian government, with arrivals scheduled for December 10 being divided into two groups.
The office recorded that the total number of deported Indonesians this month had reached 479 workers, with around 240 workers under the responsibility of Indonesia's Consulate General in Kota Kinabalu while the rest 239 workers fell under the jurisdiction of the Consulate General in Tawau.
"The number of workers continued to fluctuate, as some deportation may be delayed due to COVID-19," Ginting explained.
The deported Indonesian workers have been convicted by the Malaysian authorities in several criminal cases and for immigration violations, comprising narcotics substance abuse, overstaying, and unregistered stay, the Nunukan BP2MI head stated.
Ginting confirmed that the migrant office had coordinated with the Nunukan manpower and transmigration office, women's empowerment and child protection office, and port health office to cater to migrant workers arriving in the city.
He noted that the deportation process will be conducted with strict adherence to health protocols to prevent imported COVID-19 cases, especially in view of the recently surfaced Omicron variant, from entering Indonesia.
Ginting remarked that parties involved in the process had agreed to the procedures, including the quarantine of repatriated workers at a flat in Nunukan and measures enforced to minimize interaction with locals during their arrival at the Tunon Taka Port and during the quarantine period.
Meanwhile, an official from Indonesia's Consulate General in Kota Kinabalu confirmed the current deportation process is a continuation of the earlier plan delayed after officials from the Nunukan BP2MI office had yet to agree on the deportation arrangement.
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Translator: Rusman, Nabil Ihsan
Editor: Sri Haryati
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