Malaysian Police Shoot Indonesian Citizens: Yahya Zaini Calls for Diplomatic Protest
In a recent tragic incident, five Indonesian citizens (WNIs) were shot by Malaysian police on Friday, January 24, 2025, in the waters of Tanjung Rhu, Selangor, Malaysia. The shooting resulted in the death of one individual and left four others injured. The Indonesian response to this unfortunate event has been swift and decisive, with Yahya Zaini, Vice Chairman of the Indonesian House of Representatives Commission IX, calling for a diplomatic protest against the Malaysian government.
Yahya Zaini emphasized the need for Indonesia to formally express its grievances to Malaysia through diplomatic channels to prevent such incidents from reoccurring in the future. This is not the first time such a tragic event has unfolded, as similar incidents took place in 2012 and 2014, targeting Indonesian Migrant Workers (PMIs) from Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara.
“The shooting incident is not an isolated case, but rather the third of its kind. Similar incidents occurred in 2012 and 2014 involving PMIs from Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara,” Yahya stated in a press conference on Wednesday, January 29, 2025. He expressed concerns over the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency’s (APMM) claim that the Indonesian citizens had resisted arrest, deeming it an unreasonable narrative that required legal evidence.
Yahya urged President Prabowo Subianto’s administration to thoroughly investigate the case transparently. The aim is to uncover the truth behind the incident, facilitate accountability, and derive important lessons from it. Additionally, he called upon the Ministry of Indonesian Migrant Worker Protection (P2MI) to enhance its protection of Indonesian migrant workers abroad, particularly in Malaysia.
Malaysia serves as a prominent destination for Indonesian migrant workers, with a significant number of cases involving non-procedural departures. Hence, Yahya stressed the importance of vigilance and efficiency in safeguarding the well-being of PMIs working overseas. He highlighted the recent elevation of P2MI’s status to a ministry and urged the institution to leverage this change to bolster early detection, structured surveillance, and stricter protection measures.
One of the key recommendations put forth by Yahya was the establishment of PMI attaches in destination countries to provide comprehensive protection for these invaluable contributors to Indonesia’s economy. “The immediate formation of PMI attaches in host countries is essential to demonstrate political will and ensure adequate protection for them,” Yahya emphasized, underscoring the urgency of this initiative.
The shooting incident involving the five Indonesian citizens aboard a vessel in Malaysian waters has sparked outrage and calls for justice. The APMM’s actions, which led to the tragic loss of life and injuries, have raised serious concerns about the treatment of Indonesian nationals in Malaysia. As the two neighboring countries navigate this challenging situation, the demand for accountability, transparency, and enhanced protection for Indonesian migrant workers remains at the forefront of diplomatic discussions.
