Foreign Ministry Confirms Repatriation of Indonesian Citizen Killed in Malaysia

Foreign Ministry Confirms Repatriation of Indonesian Citizen Killed in Malaysia
Director of the Protection of Indonesian Citizens and BHI at the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Judha Nugraha. (ANTARA/Nabil Ihsan)

SEAToday.com, Jakarta - The Director of Indonesian Citizen Protection (PWNI) at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Judha Nugraha, confirmed that the body of an Indonesian citizen with the initials VMSM, who was a victim of a shooting incident in Malaysia, will be repatriated on Tuesday (2/11).

"The body of VMSM, who passed away after receiving treatment at Idris Shah Serdang Hospital since January 24, 2025, will be flown from Kuala Lumpur to Medan on February 11, 2025," said Judha Nugraha in a short message quoted in Jakarta on Tuesday.

Upon arrival in Medan, the body will be immediately transported to the family residence in Pollung Village, Humbang Hasundutan Regency, North Sumatra.

Previously, the Indonesian Embassy (KBRI) in Kuala Lumpur faced difficulties in verifying the deceased's identity due to the absence of identification documents. However, after conducting biometric tracing and collaborating with the Indonesian Migrant Workers Protection Agency (KP2MI) to locate the family, the Foreign Ministry successfully confirmed VMSM's identity.

Once the identity was verified, Malaysian authorities handed over the body to the Indonesian Embassy on Monday (Feb 10). The embassy then took swift action to facilitate the repatriation process, including funeral arrangements and administrative documentation.

Meanwhile, the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) is still investigating the incident, including interrogating six officers from the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (APMM) involved in the case. They are being charged under the Firearms Act 1960.

According to Malaysia's Prime Minister, the investigation results will be communicated to the Indonesian Embassy in Kuala Lumpur.

Additionally, Indonesian authorities are also investigating the possible involvement of Indonesian nationals in human smuggling activities. Reports indicate that not all passengers on the boat were Indonesian migrant workers (PMI); some were actively engaged in smuggling people into Malaysia.