RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - The Indonesian Consulate General in Johor Bahru has facilitated the return of an Indonesian mother and her infant son from Malaysia, reuniting the pair after months of separation caused by legal proceedings and the child’s serious medical condition.

The humanitarian effort, led by the Consulate General in Johor Bahru, brought home an Indonesian national identified as RM and her baby, AS, on Friday, February 20, 2026, Antara reported. The case underscores the challenges faced by migrant Indonesians abroad and Jakarta’s consular response in vulnerable situations.

According to the consulate’s Information, Social and Cultural Affairs Section, the case began when baby AS was left at Tuanku Ja’afar Hospital shortly after birth. Authorities later learned from the Jabatan Kebajikan Masyarakat Seremban that the mother had been arrested and detained at Kajang Women's Jail on suspicion of drug abuse.

During the mother’s detention, the infant was diagnosed with a congenital heart defect and an infection requiring serious medical attention. For four months, baby AS remained under the monitoring and protection of the Indonesian Consulate in Johor Bahru while RM served her sentence.

The consulate ensured the child received intensive medical treatment until doctors declared him stable enough to travel. It also issued temporary travel documents, known as a Emergency Travel Document (ETD), for both the mother and child to enable their return.

Following RM’s release and once the baby’s condition had stabilized, the deportation procedures were carried out through the Lenggeng Immigration Depot.

A consular team escorted baby AS to Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) on Friday, February 20, 2026, where he was formally reunited with his mother before they departed together for Juanda International Airport in Surabaya, East Java.

The consulate has coordinated with the Indonesian Foreign Affairs Ministry, Social Affairs Ministry, and the East Java provincial administration to ensure continued medical monitoring and social assistance upon their arrival, given the infant’s need for ongoing treatment.

The case, officials said, reflects Indonesia’s commitment to providing maximum protection for its citizens abroad, particularly those in highly vulnerable circumstances and in urgent need of medical care. ***