Indonesia Continues Repatriation of Citizens Rescued from Myanmar Scam Centers
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Jakarta, Indonesia – december 13, 2025 – The Indonesian government continues its efforts to repatriate citizens rescued from online scamming and illegal gambling operations in myawaddy, Myanmar. A new group of Indonesian citizens arrived at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Tangerang, Banten, on Saturday morning, December 13, at approximately 5:30 a.m. local time, marking the second wave of repatriations from the region. This follows ongoing government action to assist citizens exploited in illicit online activities.
Background: Online Scams in Myanmar
The repatriation efforts are a direct response to enforcement operations conducted by the Myanmar government targeting centers of online scamming and illegal online gambling in the Myawaddy area,which borders Thailand. These operations have uncovered widespread human trafficking and exploitation, with many foreign nationals, including Indonesians, lured with false promises of employment. https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/myanmar-raids-target-online-scam-centres-hundreds-arrested-2023-11-20/
Repatriation Efforts: A Two-Wave Approach
To date, 349 Indonesian citizens have been rescued during these operations. As of December 9, 2025, 302 remain in the process of being repatriated in stages.
* Frist Wave (December 8-9): 56 Indonesian citizens were repatriated via the Myanmar-Thailand Friendship Bridge No. 2. They were received by the Indonesian Embassy in Bangkok, Thailand (Mae Sot) and then flown to Jakarta on December 9.
* Second Wave (December 13): The group arriving on December 13 underwent immediate handover to relevant domestic agencies for further assistance and support, according to the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is currently prioritizing repatriation for citizens who can independently cover their travel costs.
Government Warnings and Future Prevention
The Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued a strong warning to prospective migrant workers, emphasizing the importance of following official procedures and regulations both in Indonesia and their destination countries. This is crucial to avoid falling victim to fraud,exploitation,and legal issues. https://kemlu.go.id/ (Official website of the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
The Ministry stressed that utilizing official channels is the best way to protect workers and their families from the dangers associated with illegal recruitment and employment practices.
Key Takeaways
* Indonesia is actively repatriating citizens rescued from online scam operations in Myanmar.
* The operations target illegal gambling and scam centers in the Myawaddy area.
* 349 Indonesian citizens have been rescued, with 302 still undergoing repatriation.
* The government prioritizes repatriation for those who can cover travel costs.
* Strong warnings have been issued to prospective migrant workers to use official channels.
Looking Ahead
The Indonesian Ministry of foreign Affairs has affirmed its commitment to continued monitoring of the situation and ensuring the safe, swift, and coordinated repatriation of all remaining citizens. The government is also expected to strengthen measures to prevent citizens from being lured into these risky situations in the future, including increased public awareness campaigns and stricter regulations on recruitment agencies.
Translator: katriana
Editor: Aditya Eko Sigit Wicaksono
Copyright © ANTARA 2025
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