451 Indonesians ready for voluntary repatriation

125 have successfully returned to Indonesia, using several commercial airlines' departing either from Dubai or Abu Dhabi International Airports

- Mariecar Jara-Puyod, Senior Reporter

Indonesians on the way back home after being stranded at Dubai International Airport in Abu Dhabi.

Of the 81,000 Indonesians in the UAE, 451 have so far expressed their readiness for voluntary repatriation while some families have "self-repatriated," in the midst of the USA-Israel-Iran War.

As of Friday, the 4th day of the conflict, which has spawned global strain, and according to a credible source from the Republic of Indonesia Embassy in Abu Dhabi, the diplomatic mission, in partnership with the officers and men of the Republic of Indonesia Consulate General in Dubai, have assisted 128 "who were stranded due to flight disruptions." Said the source who requested not to be named, "195 have successfully returned to Indonesia, using several commercial airlines" departing either from the Sheikh Zayed International Airport in Abu Dhabi or from the Dubai International Airports. Three have scheduled flights on March 15.

Meanwhile, Ambassador Judha Nugraha, who assumed the top post of the One Indonesia Team in the UAE in December 2025, and Consul General in Dubai and the Northern Emirates Denny Lesmana, have so far engaged in three "Zoom and live-streamed via You Tube" meetings for "updates and guidance" with their countrymen not only in the UAE but also across the region.