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Rights group urges Prabowo to be firm with Malaysia over migrant deaths
The group has urged the President to take a firm stance on migrant workers' rights after Friday's fatal shooting of an Indonesian worker in Malaysian waters, while the House plans to call a meeting to monitor progress in the related investigation.
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President Prabowo Subianto and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim shake hands on Jan. 27, 2025, before addressing a joint press conference in Kuala Lumpur. (Reuters/Hasnoor Hussain)
R
ights advocacy group Migrant Care has called on President Prabowo Subianto to be firm with and demand accountability from Malaysia following the fatal shooting of Indonesian citizens by the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (APMM) on Friday.
One Indonesian was killed and four others injured during the incident on Jan. 24 that took place in the waters off Tanjung Rhu Beach in Selangor state.
According to the Foreign Ministry, the fatal shooting occurred as the five Indonesians were attempting to depart Malaysia through illegal means. The ministry has since demanded a thorough investigation, specifically into the possible use of excessive force by the APMM.
Migrant Care executive director Wahyu Susilo said Friday’s incident was just another in a long list of deaths among Indonesian migrant workers allegedly at the hands of Malaysian authorities.
“From 2005 to 2025, there have been at least 75 cases [of such killings], most of which were dropped,” Wahyu told The Jakarta Post on Tuesday.
Read also: Prabowo addresses labor issues in Malaysia’s visit, after fatal shooting of RI citizens
He added that the President should not turn a blind eye to the migrant deaths over fear that raising the issue might strain Jakarta’s relationship with Kuala Lumpur.
