JOHOR BARU: Some 300,000 Indonesians are expected to make their way back to Malaysia again after celebrating Hari Raya Aidilfitri, says Indonesia’s Ambassador to Malaysia.

       Hermono said there was no mass exodus of Indonesians for the festive celebration this year as many have already made their way back to their homeland in 2021 and 2020 during the Covid-19 pandemic.

       “While flights to Indonesia are full for these few days, the crowd leaving via ferry is still manageable and on the decline.

       “The crowds are not as large as those in the pre-pandemic years,” he told reporters after visiting the Stulang Ferry Terminal here on Thursday (April 28).

       He added that the Stulang Ferry Terminal and Pasir Gudang Ferry Terminal are each offering three daily trips to Batam and Tanjung Pinang, carrying a total of 350 passengers each trip.

       Hermono said when speaking to some of his countrymen at Stulang, many of them said they were planning to travel to Malaysia again.

       “We are expecting about 300,000 Indonesians to come back here after the Hari Raya celebration as Malaysia is facing a labour shortage so there is a demand for workers but this must be done via the correct and legal channels.

       “I advised them to avoid coming to Malaysia through illegal means.

       “They should also refrain from travelling via uncharted routes on boats as it could lead them to trouble with the law or worse, their demise due to boat accidents,” he added.

       Construction worker Samsir Shahlan, 54, said he arrived in Johor Baru on Wednesday morning from Klang to purchase ferry tickets to Batam for the festivities.

       “We are required to purchase the ticket two days before our travel date and I got mine to travel on April 30.

       “I have not been back to my hometown in Jogjakarta since 2017 and I am very excited to reunite with my family for Hari Raya Aidilfitri.

       “I will also be meeting my two-year-old grandson for the first time,” he said, adding that he would be visiting his nephew in Batam upon arrival before making his way back home.

       Factory worker Sri Sukmawati Yatigio, 28, is also excited to reunite and celebrate the festive season with her family in Tanjung Balai after being apart for more than two years.

       She said the past two Hari Raya celebrations were observed at her husband Abdullah Mohamad’s home in Benut, Pontian due to the strict pandemic standard operating procedures.

       “We could only communicate and celebrate with our families via video calls.

       “I am glad to be one step closer to hugging and kissing my family members back home again,” she said, adding that they would be staying in Indonesia for two weeks before coming back to Johor for work.