MoFA Repatriates 90 Indonesians from Myanmar–Thailand Border

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta – The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, through the Directorate for the Protection of Indonesian Citizens (PWNI), has once again repatriated 90 Indonesian nationals from the Myanmar–Thailand border. It is in cooperation with the Indonesian Embassies in Yangon and Bangkok.

They arrived at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, Tangerang, Banten, on Thursday, 22 January 2026 at around 5:30 a.m. local time.

“Upon arrival in Indonesia, they were immediately handed over to the relevant agencies to undergo further handling and assistance in accordance with applicable procedures,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated.

The repatriation is part of the Indonesian Government’s ongoing efforts to address cases involving Indonesian nationals affected by the Myanmar Government’s crackdown on online scamming and online gambling centers in the Myawaddy area.

“To date, as many as 230 Indonesian citizens are still in the process of being repatriated in stages. The current repatriation prioritizes those who have declared their readiness to cover their return travel costs independently,” the Ministry stated.

Previously, in the first wave, 56 Indonesian nationals/migrant workers were repatriated from Myawaddy on 8 December 2025, via the Myanmar–Thailand Friendship Bridge No. 2 and received by the Indonesian Embassy in Bangkok in Mae Sot, Thailand. They then continued their journey to Jakarta via Bangkok on December 9, 2025. In the second wave, 54 Indonesian nationals/migrant workers arrived in Indonesia on 13 December 2025.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs urged all prospective Indonesian migrant workers to always follow official procedures and applicable regulations, both in Indonesia and in destination countries, to avoid the risks of fraud, exploitation, and legal problems. The ministry also reaffirmed its commitment to continue monitoring developments and ensuring that the repatriation of all Indonesian nationals proceeds safely, swiftly, and in a well-coordinated manner.

However, hundreds of others have yet to be successfully removed from companies and holding camps. Upon arrival in Indonesia, the repatriated nationals are taken to the Protection and Trauma Recovery Center (RPTC) to undergo further examinations by the National Police’s Criminal Investigation Department to determine their legal status and assess any possible involvement in international cybercrime networks.