KUCHING: Some 52,000 Indonesian workers are currently employed in Sarawak, according to the consul general of the Republic of Indonesia in Kuching, Raden Sigit Witjaksono.
He said this figure was based on voter data from the 2024 general election (PEMILU), which includes Indonesians holding a KTP (Identity Card) or Family Card – both required for voting.
“Initially, 65,000 Indonesians registered as voters for the 2024 PEMILU, but as the election day approached, the number dropped to 52,000.
“This figure is constantly changing as workers come and go,” he said during the ‘Special Iftar Gathering: Indonesian Update’ at the Indonesian consulate on Wednesday (Mar 26).
He noted that most Indonesian workers in Sarawak are employed in plantations, construction, factories, and the service industry, with the plantation sector being the largest employer.
In terms of origins, he said the majority of these workers come from South Sulawesi, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), and West Nusa Tenggara (NTB).
On the issue of repatriation, Raden revealed that the consulate has sent home over 1,000 workers since January this year due to immigration violations such as illegal entry, overstaying, and working without permits.
“Last year, we repatriated 4,800 Indonesian workers due to immigration-related issues. We have assisted in repatriating workers detained at Malaysian immigration detention centres, with 263 individuals repatriated from the Bekenu and Semuja depots so far,” he added.
