RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Indonesia is moving to accelerate the return of thousands of its nationals caught up in Cambodia’s sweeping crackdown on online scam syndicates, as Phnom Penh urges foreign missions to promptly repatriate citizens linked to such activities.

The Indonesian Foreign Affairs Ministry said it is coordinating with relevant ministries and agencies to explore options to speed up the repatriation process.

“We have coordinated with relevant ministries/agencies to explore several options to accelerate the repatriation of Indonesian citizens who are still in Cambodia,” Acting Director for the Protection of Indonesian Citizens, Heni Hamidah, told a media briefing in Jakarta on Thursday, February 19, 2026, as quoted by Antara.

According to Heni, the urgency has increased after the Cambodian government warned all foreign representatives to immediately repatriate their nationals suspected of involvement in online scam operations.

The warning, she said, has prompted Indonesia to hasten the return of its citizens, particularly those who have already obtained travel documents and received reductions in immigration fines.

Out of 4,254 former online scam syndicate members who reported themselves to the Indonesian Embassy in Phnom Penh between January 16 and February 15 this year, 2,007 have been granted immigration fine relief.

Meanwhile, nearly 1,000 Indonesians have independently secured flight tickets home, with departures scheduled in stages from February 16 to March 4, 2026. Heni emphasized that the accelerated repatriation will be followed by legal proceedings in Indonesia.

Based on an initial assessment of 3,917 of the 4,254 nationals who reported themselves, the ministry found no indication that they were victims of human trafficking. “Many Indonesians admitted their involvement in illegal activities in Cambodia, including online scams,” Heni added.

To facilitate their return, including for those without valid passports, the Indonesian Embassy in Phnom Penh had issued 1,427 emergency travel documents (SPLP) as of February 16, 2026.

The embassy also confirmed that around 1,200 Indonesians remain in temporary shelters, with facilities provided through coordination between the embassy and local authorities, Heni said. ***