MORE than 2,000 undocumented migrants from Indonesia will be sent home today on three flights to Jakarta, Medan and Surabaya, said Senior Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

This first phase of repatriation involves 2,189 people, while a second phase to move 2,623 illegal workers will commence when documents are completed.

“Today, there will be three flights to Jakarta, Medan and Surabaya. We will send 2,189 Indonesians home and this is the first phase. We would like to thank the Indonesian consulate here for their utmost cooperation.

“For the second phase, we are looking to send 2,623 Indonesians as soon as they receive their documents,” said the defence minister at the Covid-19 security briefing today.

Ismail Sabri also thanked China for agreeing to repatriate 500 of their citizens who were caught overstaying without legal permits.

Meanwhile, on the situation at the border, Ismail Sabri said authorities recently detained 72 foreigners and two boatmen after they tried to enter the country using illegal sea routes.

Also arrested were 11 human traffickers, while 12 speedboats were seized.

“Apart from the arrests, we also stopped 132 undocumented migrants from entering the country using sea routes,” he added.

Last month, Ismail Sabri defended Putrajaya’s decision to turn away Rohingya refugees as the right move.

He denied that the government was being cruel, as food had been given to the refugees before the boats were pushed away.

Last month, Malaysia denied entry to a boat carrying about 200 Rohingya refugees citing coronavirus fears.

The move was condemned by human rights groups and civil society.

Putrajaya has also come under fire for raids on areas under an enhanced movement control order to bring in undocumented migrants.

At the start of the MCO in March, the government had assured migrants that no legal action would be taken against them so as to encourage them to come forward for Covid-19 testing.

The government has been criticised for going back on its directive. – June 6, 2020.