Kemlu segera pulangkan 554 WNI bermasalah online scam dari Myanmar

Indonesia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs to Repatriate 554 Citizens Involved in Online Scams from Myanmar

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia (Kemlu), in collaboration with the Indonesian Embassies in Bangkok and Yangon, is making concerted efforts to repatriate 554 Indonesian nationals (WNI) who have fallen victim to online scams in the conflict-ridden region of Myawaddy, Myanmar.

According to a statement from the Indonesian Embassy in Bangkok, the repatriation team is currently stationed in Maesot, a border town between Thailand and Myanmar, where they are working closely with Thai and Myanmar authorities. On March 14, 2025, Indonesian Ambassador to Bangkok, Rachmat Budiman, along with Judha Nugraha, the Director of Indonesian Citizen Protection at Kemlu, held a special meeting with the Governor of Tak Province, Chucheep Phongchai, and relevant officials to ensure the smooth movement of the affected citizens from Myawaddy, Myanmar, to Maesot, Thailand.

Thailand is being used as a transit point for the repatriation due to the security risks along the Myawaddy-Yangon land route. The Thai authorities have expressed their readiness to facilitate the passage of the Indonesians from Myawaddy to Maesot and ensure their safe escort to Bangkok, where they will then be flown back to Jakarta.

Thai authorities will also implement the National Referral Mechanism to identify victims of Trafficking in Persons (TPPO), conduct health screenings, and ensure immigration checks for all the repatriated individuals.

The repatriation is planned to occur in stages, with the 554 Indonesian nationals expected to arrive at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Jakarta on March 18 and 19, 2025. Upon arrival in Indonesia, the repatriates will undergo interviews, rehabilitation, and reintegration programs.

In addition to Kemlu, the Coordinating Ministry for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs (Kemenko Polkam) and the Coordinating Ministry for Community Empowerment are coordinating efforts across various government ministries and agencies to ensure the smooth arrival and repatriation of the citizens to their respective home regions.

This repatriation operation is part of Indonesia’s regional cooperation to combat online scams that have affected thousands of people, with similar efforts already undertaken by other countries, such as India, which recently repatriated nearly 300 of its citizens from the same area.

Indonesia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs to Repatriate 554 Citizens from Myanmar Amid Online Scam Issue

Jakarta (ANTARA) – The Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Kemlu), together with the Indonesian Embassies in Bangkok and Yangon, is working to repatriate 554 Indonesian nationals (WNI) who have fallen victim to online scams in the conflict zone of Myawaddy, Myanmar.

According to a press release from the Indonesian Embassy in Bangkok on Saturday, the team is currently in Maesot, a border town between Thailand and Myanmar, to coordinate closely with Thai and Myanmar authorities.

On Friday, March 14, 2025, Indonesian Ambassador to Bangkok, Rachmat Budiman, accompanied by Judha Nugraha, Director of Citizen Protection at Kemlu, held a special meeting with the Governor of Tak Province, Chucheep Phongchai, and relevant agencies. The meeting focused on preparations to ensure the smooth passage of Indonesian nationals from Myawaddy, Myanmar, to Maesot, Tak Province, Thailand.

Thailand has been designated as the transit point for the repatriation due to the security situation along the Myawaddy-Yangon land route, which is not deemed safe.

The Governor of Tak, with support from various Thai authorities, has expressed readiness to facilitate the movement of the Indonesian nationals from Myawaddy to Maesot and ensure their safe escort to Bangkok. From there, they will be flown to Jakarta.

Thai authorities will also implement the National Referral Mechanism to identify victims of Trafficking in Persons (TPPO) and conduct health and immigration checks for all repatriated individuals.

The 554 Indonesian nationals are expected to arrive in stages at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport on March 18 and 19, 2025. Upon arrival in Indonesia, they will undergo interviews, as well as rehabilitation and reintegration processes.

Meanwhile, the Coordinating Ministry for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs (Kemenko Polkam) and the Coordinating Ministry for Community Empowerment are coordinating cross-ministerial efforts for the arrival and repatriation of the citizens to their respective home regions.