KUALA LUMPUR: The Indonesian embassy is actively working with Malaysian authorities to curb the activities of cross-border human traffickers helping to transport undocumented Indonesians back to their home country.
Indonesian ambassador to Malaysia Hermono said the embassy was alerted to online advertisements of "transport" services two years ago.
Heightened collaboration between the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency, Indonesian Navy and the Indonesian Maritime Security Agency is one of the enforcement efforts to crack down on the trafficking syndicates, he said.
However, Hermono added, putting a stop to the illegal activities online was difficult as the agents would sprout up again after being flagged by the embassy, with a newer account.
"Tracing them is not easy because many use fake names, making it difficult to obtain accurate information about these individuals.
"Sometimes they are in Indonesia, other times in Malaysia, which further complicates the task.
"That is why we are focusing more on strengthening the cooperation between Malaysian and Indonesian agencies to address this issue."
Hermono further said the embassy had consistently pushed for better awareness among its citizens to not trust agent services that promised repatriation offers through illegal channels.
He urged undocumented Indonesian citizens to come forward to the embassy instead of risking themselves through the illegal offerings.
Yesterday, the New Straits Times reported that these trafficking syndicates have taken to TikTok to openly advertise "transport" services to undocumented Indonesians in Malaysia looking to return home.
Those behind the speedboat service would, for a price, ferry those in Selangor, Melaka, Negri Sembilan and Johor to various destinations in Indonesia, including Batam, Dumai and Bengkalis Island.
The trips, which were advertised for those travelling without passports or with expired visas, are priced between RM1,500 and RM2,200.
The Indonesian embassy, said Hermono, receives an average of 30 to 35 undocumented Indonesian citizens per week.
To date, it has facilitated the repatriation of almost 2,000 undocumented Indonesian citizens between 2022 and May 2024.
"This week, more than 200 undocumented individuals will be sent back to Indonesia via the Malaysian Immigration Department."