The deported migrant workers group consisted of nine female adults, a man and three babies, said Febriana, an official of the local social affairs office task force dealing with migrant workers here on Saturday.
"Actually they came to Malaysia through a formal procedure, however they failed to extend their working permits, so they were considered illegal migrant workers and were deported through Batam," the official said.
The migrant workers hailing from the provinces of West Nusa Tenggara, East Nusa Tenggara, East Java and Central Java were temporarily accommodated in Sekupang pending the arrival of Pelni`s passenger ship that will carry them to Jakarta en route to their respective regions, Febriana said.
In addition, Febriana said, Malaysia would also deport 15 more Indonesian migrant workers on Monday (Feb 6).
"The 15 workers are now accommodated at the Indonesian consulate general office in Johor," he said.
Data obtained from the Riau Islands provincial government said, since 2005 more than 51 thousand problematic migrant workers in Malaysia have been deported through Batam and Tanjungpinang.
Previously, deputy chairman of the House of Representatives (DPR) commission IX, Irgan Chairul Mahfiz said here Saturday that a total of 144 Indonesian migrant workers in Malaysia have been threatened with punishment. According to Irgan, the country`s migrant workers problems are chronic. (*)
Editor: Aditia Maruli Radja
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