By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, March 27: Approximately 52,000 Indonesian nationals are currently working in Sarawak, according to the Consul General of the Republic of Indonesia in Kuching, Raden Sigit Witjaksono.
Citing a news report by Suara Sarawak, he said the figure is based on voter data from Indonesia’s 2024 General Election (PEMILU), which includes those with official documents such as the KTP (identity card) or family card – both required for voting.
“Initially, 65,000 Indonesians registered as voters for PEMILU 2024. However, by polling day, the number had dropped to 52,000,” he said.
“This number is constantly changing as Indonesian workers come and go. Some have returned to Indonesia, while others have just arrived. But based on voter data, we estimate around 52,000 Indonesians are currently employed in Sarawak.”
He was speaking at a press conference held in conjunction with a media iftar event at the Indonesian Consulate in Kuching last night (March 26).
Raden added that most Indonesian workers in Sarawak are employed in the plantation, construction, manufacturing and service sectors.
“They come from various regions in Indonesia, with the highest numbers from South Sulawesi, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), and West Nusa Tenggara (NTB),” he said.
When asked about repatriation figures between January 2025 and March 26, 2025, Raden revealed that over 1,000 Indonesians had been sent back during this period due to immigration offences, including illegal entry, overstaying, and working without permits.
He added that a total of 4,800 Indonesians were repatriated last year due to similar immigration issues.
“The Consulate also assists in repatriating Indonesians held at Malaysian immigration detention centres. So far, 263 workers have been repatriated from the Bekenu and Semuja depots,” he said. — DayakDaily
