RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Authorities in Jakarta successfully thwarted the departure of 51 prospective Indonesian migrant workers who were set to leave for Malaysia through non-procedural channels from Kramat Jati, East Jakarta, on Friday.

The operation was carried out by the Indonesian Migrant Worker Protection Service Center (BP3MI) Jakarta.

BP3MI Jakarta Head Police Commissioner Arman Muis said that the case was uncovered following a public report regarding a suspected shelter for undocumented migrant workers.

Acting on the information, BP3MI’s protection team conducted an inspection and found 51 individuals preparing to depart without going through official procedures.

During the operation, officers also secured around 152 passports believed to be intended for the illegal departure process.

“At around 10:00 a.m., we detained 51 prospective migrant workers and discovered approximately 152 passports at the site,” Arman said at the BP3MI Jakarta office, as quoted by Antara.

He explained that the workers had been promised jobs at a company in Malaysia, but investigations revealed that their departure was not arranged through legal channels.

Arman emphasized that non-procedural migration carries serious risks, as workers are deprived of state protection.

“If they leave through unofficial means, they will not have access to health insurance, labor protection, or adequate communication channels in case of problems abroad,” he stressed.

The preventive action, he added, was in line with directives from Minister of Migrant Worker Protection Mukhtarudin, who has instructed that all placements must follow official procedures.

“The Minister has underlined that migrant worker placements must be conducted legally. Non-procedural practices must be stopped because they are harmful and dangerous for workers,” Arman asserted.

Of the 51 individuals detained, 12 were women and 39 men, originating from various regions including Lampung, Jambi, Medan, Central Java, West Java, East Java, Bengkulu, West Nusa Tenggara, Tangerang, and Central Kalimantan.

All prospective workers have been taken to BP3MI Jakarta’s Rumah Ramah shelter for data collection and further investigation. The center will also work to ensure that they can pursue overseas employment through official channels.

Arman reaffirmed BP3MI’s commitment to strengthening oversight to prevent illegal placements.

“We urge the public not to be enticed by job offers abroad through non-procedural means, as the risks are extremely high,” he concluded. ***