Kota Kinabalu: Indonesian workers in Sabah must enter and secure employment through proper legal channels to ensure their safety and protection against exploitation, said Indonesian Consul General in Kota Kinabalu Bapak Noorman Effendi.
He said ensuring the welfare of Indonesian nationals working in Sabah was among the main responsibilities of the Indonesian Consulate, particularly in helping workers obtain proper documentation and legitimate employment arrangements.
NoormanNoorman said the Consulate was working with relevant authorities in Sabah to ensure Indonesian workers were registered under the appropriate systems, including the Sabah Migrant Workers Information System (Swims).
“If they are guaranteed by the relevant authorities and registered in the SWIMS system, it means they have an employer and their arrival is through proper channels,” he said, after the opening ceremony of Big Sabah Sale 2026 at the Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC).
He said undocumented workers remained a concern, with some entering Sabah through unofficial routes or relying on third-party intermediaries who could exploit them.
“We have encountered cases where they come through improper channels. As a result, their employers are unclear, and when the employer is unclear, their employment situation is also uncertain,” he said.
Noorman said having proper documentation and identifiable employers would provide workers with greater security and ensure they were recognised within the State’s employment system.
He said the Consulate’s records showed more than 100,000 documented Indonesian workers within its consular coverage, while the Tawau consular area also recorded a similarly substantial number.
“The number of undocumented workers remained a concern, making it important to encourage more Indonesians to enter Sabah through legitimate recruitment and employment procedures.
“We want to make sure they come with proper documents, but through the correct channels and not through unofficial routes,” he said.
Noorman also highlighted the welfare and education of Indonesian workers’ children living in Sabah as another important concern, noting that many had been born or raised in the State.
He said the availability of Community Learning Centres (CLCs) had helped provide education opportunities for these children, but stressed the importance of improving teaching quality and ensuring their curriculum remained consistent with Indonesia’s education system.
He added that the Consulate hoped children who completed their schooling would have opportunities to pursue further education and professional careers in Indonesia rather than returning to plantation work.
