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Stricter immigration regulations, frequent large-scale enforcement operations and media coverage of arrests of undocumented migrants have led to Malaysia no longer being the top destination for Indonesian workers.
Malay Mail reports that many Indonesians are now seeking job opportunities in blue-collar sectors in European countries, Japan, Taiwan, and Hong Kong.
Indonesia’s Ambassador in Malaysia Datuk Hermono acknowledged that Malaysia has not been the primary destination for Indonesian workers over the past three years, with nearly none returning after extended stays in Indonesia.
He said: “Before COVID-19, the number of registered Indonesian workers was 1.13 million, while the undocumented population was estimated at around 1.5 million, bringing the total to over 2.5 million.
“However, due to the pandemic and movement restrictions, many returned to Indonesia, and the latest figures show that only around 585,000 registered workers remain – a sharp decline compared to previous years,” he told Berita Harlan.
Previously, Malaysia had srt 31 May 2024 as the final date for hiring foreign workers due to an oversupply of labour, with exceptions for the plantation and domestic worker sectors
