BNP2TKI Praises Malaysian Police For Rescuing 105 Migrant Workers

Jakarta, Dec 4 (ANTARA) - The Chairman of the National Board for Indonesian Migrant Workers Placement and Protection (BNP2TKI), Moh Jumhur Hidayat, has lauded the Malaysian Police for their efforts to rescue 105 captive migrant workers from illegal immigration agents in Bandar Baru Klang of Selangor, Malaysia, on December 1. "During the raid, the officers arrested a group of illegal immigration agents. The group consists of three Malaysians, five Indonesians, four Cambodians and a Filipino," he said here on Tuesday. Out of the 105 migrant workers found in captivity, 95 are from the informal sector and work as housemaids (PLRT). Jumhur expressed hope that the Malaysian Police, with the cooperation of the country�s immigration officers, would rescue more migrant workers who have fallen victims to illegal immigration agents. He said the captured illegal immigration agents had planned to send more migrant workers to Malaysia in the near future. "Many Indonesian migrant workers become victims of human trafficking because they work without legal documents," Jumhur explained. He noted that the Indonesian government had issued a temporary moratorium on the sending of migrant workers, particularly domestic helpers, to Malaysia, from June 2009 onwards, on safety grounds. �The moratorium is still in effect because a bilateral agreement on migrant workers� protection has yet to be reached,� Jumhur explained. �However, efforts are still being made to send Indonesian migrant workers to Malaysia,� he stated. BNP2TKI has estimated that almost 11,000 Indonesian migrant workers are sent to Malaysia by illegal agents. �Such attempts can be foiled by Indonesian officers if they step up efforts to crack down on the illegal agents,� Jumhur pointed out. "Besides, both Indonesian and Malaysian Police need to increase cooperation in this area," he added.