Dozens of Indonesians demonstrated outside the Malaysian Embassy in Jakarta on Thursday, expressing their anger over the fatal shooting of an Indonesian migrant worker. The incident occurred on January 24 when a 50-year-old migrant worker was killed by the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (APMM), which opened fire on their boat for alleged trespassing in the waters off Tanjung Rhu Beach, Selangor state. Four other Indonesian workers were injured in the shooting.
The victim's body was received by Indonesian authorities in Riau province on Wednesday. Nearly 100 protesters, comprised of various rights groups and labor unions, gathered at the embassy, located on a prominent street in downtown Jakarta. During the demonstration, protesters hurled eggs at the embassy building, covering the state emblem of Malaysia with egg stains and cracked shells.
Demonstrators carried signs demanding justice, reading, "Prosecute and jail Malaysian police who shot dead Indonesian migrant worker." In response to the incident, Indonesia's Foreign Affairs Ministry issued a statement on January 25, indicating that the shooting occurred while the five Indonesians were attempting to leave Malaysia illegally. The ministry has since called for a thorough investigation into the possibility of excessive force used by APMM officials.
The shooting prompted a national outcry in Indonesia after a video from one of the wounded workers went viral on social media. The distressing footage showed several Indonesian migrants lying nearby, visibly injured and in pain next to their deceased colleague.
Wahyu Susilo, the executive director of Migrant Care, an advocacy group for Indonesian migrant workers, stated that this incident adds to a troubling history of violence against Indonesian migrants allegedly inflicted by Malaysian authorities. Migrant Care's records indicate that there have been at least 75 such killings reported since 2005, highlighting ongoing concerns over the treatment of Indonesian workers abroad.
The advocacy group urged Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto not to overlook these migrant deaths out of concern for maintaining diplomatic relations with Kuala Lumpur. During a recent visit to Malaysia, President Subianto committed to collaborating with the Malaysian government to address issues related to migrant workers, confirming a willingness to enhance cooperation in various sectors.
These developments coincide with increasing tensions surrounding the treatment of Indonesian migrant workers in Malaysia, leading to calls for accountability and justice following the tragic incident.
