JAKARTA, Indonesia – A wave of anger erupted in Indonesia following the tragic death of a migrant worker, leading to a protest outside the Malaysian embassy in the capital on Thursday. Demonstrators expressed their outrage over the fatal shooting of a 50-year-old Indonesian worker, who was killed and four others left injured on January 24 after Malaysian maritime authorities allegedly opened fire on their boat for purportedly trespassing in Malaysian waters near Tanjung Rhu Beach in Selangor state.
The Indonesian authorities in Riau province officially received the deceased worker’s body on Wednesday. On Thursday, nearly 100 individuals from various human rights organizations and labor unions rallied outside the Malaysian embassy, located on a prominent street in Jakarta. Protesters threw eggs at the embassy’s gates, resulting in egg stains and shattered shells marking the building and its representation of Malaysia’s state emblem.
During the protest, demonstrators carried placards demanding justice, including messages such as, “Prosecute and jail Malaysian police who shot dead Indonesian migrant worker.” In the wake of the shooting, Indonesia’s Foreign Affairs Ministry issued a statement on January 25, clarifying that the incident occurred when the five Indonesian migrants were allegedly attempting to exit Malaysia unlawfully. The ministry has since called for a thorough investigation, particularly concerning the possible misuse of force by the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (APMM).
The incident sparked widespread outrage throughout Indonesia, particularly following the circulation of a harrowing video on social media. The footage captured several Indonesian migrants who had suffered gunshot wounds lying near their boat, struggling against tremendous pain, and appearing pale alongside their lifeless colleague.
Wahyu Susilo, the executive director of Migrant Care, an organization dedicated to advocating for Indonesian migrant workers, stated that this incident is part of a disturbing trend of violence against Indonesian migrants allegedly perpetrated by Malaysian authorities. His organization reported a shocking tally of at least 75 such fatalities since 2005. Migrant Care has urged Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto to address these migrant fatalities without fears of damaging ties with Malaysia.
During a recent diplomatic visit to Malaysia, President Subianto expressed a commitment to collaborate with the Malaysian government to address issues affecting migrant workers. In a joint statement with Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, Subianto highlighted that they would work together to resolve bilateral issues, including those related to labor migration, emphasizing an intention to enhance cooperation across various sectors. This declaration followed just days after the tragic shooting incident, underscoring the complexities of managing migrant rights within the context of international relations.
