RRI.CO.ID, Aceh Besar - The Class I Immigration Office (TPI) in Banda Aceh facilitated the return and immigration processing of 37 Indonesian citizens (WNI) deported from the Immigration Detention Depots (DTI) in Peninsular Malaysia on Thursday, April 23, 2026. The group arrived at Sultan Iskandar Muda International Airport (SIM) in Blang Bintang, Aceh Besar, following a coordinated effort with the Indonesian Embassy in Kuala Lumpur.

The returnees included 29 men, five women, and three children. Upon arrival, they underwent rigorous document verification and health screenings led by the Head of the Banda Aceh Immigration Office, Bambang Tri Cahyono, along with senior officials from the Traffic and Stay Permit sections.

“We urge and remind people who want to work abroad to always follow official procedures and comply with the legal regulations in the destination country,” Bambang Tri Cahyono said during the reception process on Thursday, April 23, 2026, as quoted by Antara.

The repatriation follows a formal request for assistance from the Indonesian Embassy in Malaysia to manage citizens who had faced legal hurdles or overstayed their permits. Immigration officials reported that all 37 individuals are in good health and that the screening process adhered strictly to standard operating procedures (SOP).

Beyond the immediate administrative processing, the Banda Aceh Immigration Office is coordinating with relevant local agencies to ensure the safe return of these individuals to their respective hometowns. The data collected during this process will serve as a vital component for evaluating and improving national policies regarding the protection of Indonesian citizens working abroad.

Cahyono used the occasion to issue a broader warning to the public regarding the risks of undocumented labor. He emphasized that complete travel documents and official work permits are the only way to avoid legal repercussions in foreign jurisdictions. ***