"Some 95 Indonesian nationals returned home from Mecca's immigration detention center, comprising 11 males and 84 females," according to the Foreign Ministry statement on Friday (January 16).
The ministry also facilitated the repatriation of one Indonesian national who is paralyzed due to illness.
The 96 Indonesians arrived in Jakarta on a Saudi Arabian Airlines flight on Friday at 9 a.m. local time, the ministry noted.
According to the Foreign Ministry, the repatriation is the outcome of intensive work between the Consulate General and the Foreign Ministry's protection and services team.
They have provided consular services, coordinated with the Saudi authority for repatriation, and issued "travel document in lieu of passport" (SPLP) for Indonesian nationals.
Upon their arrival in Indonesia, the ministry's Directorate for the Protection of Indonesians continued the coordination with the Ministry for the Protection of Indonesian Migrant Workers, and customs and immigration authorities for the next step of their repatriation.
The Foreign Ministry stated that the Indonesian government is committed to providing optimum protection, services, and accompaniment for Indonesian nationals wherever they are, including those encountering issues abroad or deported back to Indonesia.
During his annual press address on Wednesday (January 14), Foreign Minister Sugiono revealed that the government has repatriated 27,768 Indonesian nationals throughout 2022.
They were returned from various emergency conditions, including armed conflicts, or rescued from criminal enterprises, such as online gambling and online scams, he noted.
Sugiono stated that the protection of Indonesians is the main pillar of Indonesia's diplomacy, in line with the Indonesian Constitution, which states that the government "must protect all the Indonesian people."
Related news: Indonesia repatriates 152 citizens deported from Saudi Arabia
Related news: Saudi Arabia to be test ground for worker placements in ME: govt
Related news: Saudi employers to open deposits for Indonesian workers: govt
Translator: Cindy Frishanti O, Nabil Ihsan
Editor: Azis Kurmala
Copyright © ANTARA 2026
