JAKARTA, RAKYAT NEWS – A tragic incident occurred on 24 January 2025 when an Indonesian migrant worker was shot dead by Malaysia’s Maritime Enforcement Agency (APMM) in the waters of Tanjung Rhu, Malaysia.

The shooting has sparked outrage, with many calling for a reevaluation of the labor system and bilateral agreements between Indonesia and Malaysia.

Aznil Tan, the Executive Director of Migrant Watch, condemned the incident, attributing it to the failure of both Indonesia and Malaysia to establish an effective system for managing migrant labor. He claimed that the incident highlighted the failure of the two countries to create a cooperative framework that protects human rights.

“I view this incident as a clear indication of the failure of both countries to build a system that properly safeguards human rights. The labor cooperation between Indonesia and Malaysia has been nothing more than lip service, leaving significant gaps that allow for the exploitation of migrant workers,” Aznil said in a press statement on 26 January 2025.

According to Aznil, the governance system between Indonesia and Malaysia does not adequately address the needs of the labor market, particularly in the informal and traditional sectors. He argued that the current system is overly complex, making it easier for Indonesians to migrate to Malaysia illegally.

“Many Indonesians still choose to travel to Malaysia illegally because it’s faster and simpler. Similarly, many Malaysians prefer hiring illegal workers because it’s cheaper and less complicated. This contrasts sharply with the current placement system, which is complicated and fails to address the complex, traditional labor markets in both countries,” he explained.

Aznil, who was active in the 1998 Indonesian reform movement, urged both governments to reconsider their labor systems and create a more adaptable framework that better reflects the reality of the labor market. He warned that unless this is addressed, incidents like the shooting will continue to occur, as will other human rights violations.

“This is a matter of supply and demand. Both Malaysia and Indonesia need workers. As long as the two countries fail to establish a governance system that aligns with the reality on the ground, tragic events like shootings, boat sinkings, and other human rights violations will continue to occur,” Aznil emphasized.

He also pointed out that the cultural and linguistic similarities between the two countries should facilitate the employment of migrant workers in the informal and traditional sectors. He suggested that the process for hiring workers in these sectors should be simplified.

“The requirements for competency and labor contracts in these sectors must be eased. If the system remains complicated, it only serves to foster the placement mafia and supports human trafficking practices,” Aznil added, further critiquing the system’s failure to support migrant workers’ rights.

Despite the failures of the labor system, Aznil called for justice for the Indonesian migrant worker killed by APMM officers. He insisted that both governments must take action to ensure accountability for the unlawful shooting.

“According to human rights and Indonesia’s constitution, the governments of both Indonesia and Malaysia are obligated to take action against the APMM officers responsible for the procedural shooting. These victims are not criminals; they are simply individuals seeking to survive. They are victims of a failed system,” he concluded.

Meanwhile, Christina Aryani, the Deputy Minister of the Indonesian Ministry of Migrant Worker Protection (KP2MI), provided further details on the incident in a press conference. She explained that on 24 January, at 03:00 AM, APMM officers were patrolling the Tanjung Rhu area when they encountered a vessel carrying five Indonesian migrant workers, who were traveling without proper documentation.

The tragic event has prompted calls for both governments to take urgent action to prevent similar incidents in the future and address the systemic issues affecting migrant workers. (Uki Ruknuddin)

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