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wo Indonesian nationals previously sentenced to death in Malaysia for a 2010 murder have returned home and have met with Foreign Minister Retno LP Marsudi on Thursday.

Retno praised the consistent efforts made by the Indonesian Embassy in Kuala Lumpur in supervising the case and assisting the defendants since Jan. 2011, and highlighted the importance of the protection of Indonesian nationals abroad.

'€œI have met with the Manpower Minister [M. Hanif Dhakiri] and discussed ways that both ministries can optimize steps to improve our commitment to the protection of Indonesian nationals abroad,'€ Retno said at the Foreign Ministry after meeting the Hiu brothers.

Pontianak-born migrant workers Frans Hiu, 22, and Dharry Hiu, 20, were sentenced to death in 2012 by Malaysia'€™s Shah Alam High Court for the murder of Malaysian national Kharti Raja in December 2010, allegedly in self-defense.

The brothers argued that Kharti was a burglar who had attempted to gain access to their employers'€™ video game store in Sepang, while under the influence of drugs and alcohol. On the night of the incident, Kharti allegedly fell into the brothers'€™ room and they tried to apprehend him. Kharti died during the struggle.

In January 2014, the brothers'€™ appeal was accepted by the appeals court in Putrajaya and the Hiu siblings were freed from death row. However, Malaysian prosecutors filed an appeal against the verdict and the brothers continued the case in the appeals court.

On Wednesday, it was announced that the Hiu brothers would be returned to Indonesia.

Frans extended his thanks to the officials at the Indonesian Embassy in Kuala Lumpur, who accompanied them throughout the case.

'€œI thank everyone, including the embassy in Kuala Lumpur and the [West Kalimantan] governor [Cornelis], for the help and support,'€ he said. (nvn)