NTB Coordinates Cross-Border Assistance for Troubled Migrant Workers in Malaysia

RRI.CO.ID, Mataram - The West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) Provincial Administration has intensified its cross-border protection efforts, handling two separate cases of local migrant workers (PMIs) facing severe hardships in Malaysia within the same week. Through its Manpower and Transmigration Agency, the provincial administration successfully coordinated the repatriation of a deceased worker from Peninsular Malaysia and secured the rescue of an undocumented, ailing laborer from a remote plantation in East Malaysia.

In the first case, provincial authorities worked alongside diplomatic channels to facilitate the return of the remains of 44-year-old Sahabuddin, a resident of Bengkung Hamlet, Karang Baru Village, Wanasaba Subdistrict, East Lombok Regency.

Sahabuddin, who was employed in the Felda Soeharto area of Selangor, was discovered unresponsive in his workers' quarters by a colleague on Sunday, June 28, 2026, at approximately 10.00 a.m. Malaysian time. Local authorities subsequently evacuated him to the Kuala Kubu Bharu Hospital.

Head of the NTB Manpower and Transmigration Agency, Aidy Furqan, said that the swift intervention was a direct follow-up to the NTB Governor's instructions to ensure all troubled citizens abroad receive immediate and comprehensive care.

"Immediately after receiving the information, we coordinated intensively with the Indonesian Embassy (KBRI) in Kuala Lumpur, the hospital, and various related agencies in Malaysia to confirm the identity of the deceased, process the administration, issue consular documents, and expedite the process of repatriating the body to Indonesia," Aidy said on Friday, July 3, 2026, as quoted by Antara.

According to Death Registration Certificate No. 01086/SBPM-KL/0626/04 issued by the Indonesian Embassy (KBRI) in Kuala Lumpur on June 30, 2026, Sahabuddin's time of death was logged on June 28 at 3:00 p.m. Malaysian time.

"The medical examination revealed the cause of death was myocardial infarction (heart attack). The body has also undergone an autopsy in accordance with Malaysian regulations," Aidy added.

The worker's remains arrived via flight at Zainuddin Abdul Madjid International Airport on Thursday, July 2, 2026, where the NTB Indonesian Migrant Worker Protection Agency (BP3MI) provided an ambulance to transport him home.

"The body was returned yesterday (Wednesday) from Kuala Lumpur-Lombok and handed over to the family in East Lombok Regency," Aidy continued.

Simultaneously, the provincial administration managed the emergency extraction of Adnan (49), an undocumented migrant worker from Talapiti Village, Bima Regency, who had fallen seriously ill while working under non-procedural terms at an isolated plantation in Sarawak, East Malaysia.

Aidy emphasized that the state must remain present for its citizens regardless of their legal working status. "At the Governor's direction and attention, we are moving quickly to establish coordination across agencies, regions, and with Indonesian representatives abroad. The state must be present to provide protection to all migrant workers from West Nusa Tenggara (NTB), both during their working conditions and when facing problems in their host country," he stated.

"Every report regarding migrant workers from West Nusa Tenggara is a priority for immediate follow-up," he added

The rescue operation relied heavily on securing ground data through the local village network and the Bima Regency Manpower Agency, which pin-pointed Adnan's location at PT. Citra Indah SDN. BHD. in Miri, Sarawak, alongside the contact details of his coworkers.

A functional employment officer at the NTB agency, Pradiptha Himawan Putra, noted that rapid data gathering was vital.

"We immediately coordinated technically with the Bima Regency Manpower and Transmigration Agency and the Talapiti Village Administration to confirm the location of the migrant workers and obtain the contact details of their colleagues. Once the data was complete, we immediately coordinated with the Indonesian Citizen Protection Counselor at the Indonesian Consulate General in Kuching so that the tracing and handling process could be carried out quickly, accurately, and effectively," Pradiptha explained.

Following intense coordination with the Indonesian Consulate General (KJRI) in Kuching, Adnan was successfully extracted from the plantation on June 28, 2026, and handed over to an agency to begin his journey home. As of June 30, 2026, Adnan and his family had safely reached Pontianak, West Kalimantan, and are scheduled to continue their transit back to NTB.

The provincial administration confirmed it will continue monitoring Adnan's journey until he reaches Bima. "This demonstrates our commitment to providing services and protection for all migrant workers from NTB," Aidy concluded. ***