Problematic workers returned from Johor

The Jakarta Post
National News - February 17, 2007

BATAM, Riau Island Province: The Indonesian Consulate General in Johor Bahru, Malaysia, has returned 101 problematic workers to Batam, an official said.

Supriyanto, a staff member of the consulate general, said Thursday the returned workers consisted of those who had recently completed jail sentences due to immigration problems and criminal activities.

The 101 workers returned through Gudang Pasir port in Malaysia to Batam Center port. They consisted of 22 women and 79 men. They had each been imprisoned at Kluang penitentiary in Johor for between two and eight months.

Supriyanto said the number of returned Indonesian workers had thus far reached 1,200.

"There are around 1,000 more Indonesian workers still jailed for similar offenses in line with the Malaysian government's determination to take stern measures (against violators of its immigration regulations)," he said.

The workers were given temporary accommodation at the Batam Social Service Office before being sent to their home towns. -- JP