Malaysia deports 28 Indonesian athletes

PETALING JAYA: Malaysia will deport 28 Indonesian athletes for not holding any immigration documents to play sports in the country, the Jakarta Post reported yesterday.
The 28 athletes from Nunukan regency, North Kalimantan, was arrested by the Sabah Marine Department in Doris Wallace Bay waters off Malaysia's Sebatik Island on March 16.
They were supposed to play football and volleyball friendly matches in Kalabakan, Tawau, following an invitation from a Malaysian sports organiser.
"Last Friday, the (Malaysian) Court decided to deport the 28 Indonesian citizens," the newspaper quoted Foreign Ministry's Indonesian citizen protection director, Lalu Muhammad Iqbal as saying on Monday morning.
The Indonesian Consulate General in Tawau had provided assistance and approached local authorities numerous times in a bid to have the athletes released and repatriated, Iqbal said.
The consulate was currently busy issuing temporary travel documents for the athletes, he added.
"We hope they will be repatriated today, but it depends on the temporary document completion," said Iqbal, quoting a message from the Indonesian consul in Tawau, Sulistijo Djati Ismojo.
"The cost of repatriation will be borne by the invitee in Kalabakan," Iqbal added.