5 Indonesian Citizens Shot, Labor Party Holds Demonstration At Malaysian Embassy Today

Illustration of labor demonstrations (ANTARA)

JAKARTA Hundreds of workers will hold a demonstration in front of the Malaysian Embassy (Kedubes) and the Indonesian Migrant Workers Protection Ministry (P2MI) office today, Thursday, January 30.

The action was a response to the shooting incident of five Indonesian citizens (WNI) in Tanjung Rhu, Selangor, Malaysia.

"Hundreds of workers will hold an action on January 30 regarding Indonesian migrant workers who were shot dead," said the President of the Confederation of Indonesian Trade Unions (KSPI) as well as the President of the Labor Party, Said Iqbal, in his statement.

The plan is for demonstrations at the Malaysian Embassy to take place at 10.00 p.m. -13.30 p.m. local time, while the action at the P2MI Minister's office starts at 14.00 p.m. local time.

This action is a form of solidarity with Indonesian migrant workers who are victims of injustice and urge the government to act decisively in protecting the rights of migrant workers.

In this action, the workers filed several demands, one of which was punishment for the perpetrators of the shooting.

"The demand is to try and imprison the police who shot dead Indonesian migrant workers and release detained migrant workers," said Said Iqbal.

Previously, the Malaysian Maritime Power Strengthening Agency (APMM) shot a ship in the waters of Tanjung Rhu, Selangor, on Friday, January 24, at around 03.00 local time. The shooting occurred after ship passengers were suspected of resisting, resulting in the death of one Indonesian citizen.

The Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia (KBRI) Kuala Lumpur stated that the victim who died with the initials B would be repatriated to Indonesia after the autopsy was completed. Meanwhile, four other victims received treatment at the hospital.

The Minister for Protection of Indonesian Migrant Workers, Abdul Kadir Karding, said that B's body, which came from Riau, would be repatriated on Thursday, January 30.

The Ministry of P2MI has coordinated with the Riau Indonesian Migrant Worker Protection Service Center (BP3MI) and the local government regarding the repatriation of the bodies.

The Ministry of P2MI condemned the incident and urged the Malaysian government to immediately investigate this incident and take firm action if it was proven that there was an excessive use of force by APMM patrol officers.