LAMANRIAU.COM, KUALA LUMPUR – A female migrant worker from Batang, Central Java, Ribut Uripah (56), was reported missing after leaving for Malaysia in 2006. Ribut was finally found after a video circulated of her living alone in the Malaysian forest.
The video was uploaded to the TikTok account @bansos.pmi.omtris and on Instagram, one of which was on the account @batanginfo.id. The video was uploaded on Wednesday (5/3) and garnered many responses from netizens.
It is known that Ribut is a resident of Candirejo Village, Bawang District, Batang. The family was happy and sad to hear about Ribut’s video.
Ribut’s oldest brother, Tamat (75) accompanied by his wife Misni (60), admitted that he was happy that his younger sibling who had been missing for dozens of years was finally found in good health. However, he was also sad to learn that his youngest sibling was living alone in the forest.
“I’m obviously happy to see that. I’m also sad, why live in the forest alone. In fact, because I heard the news of living alone in the forest, my husband and I couldn’t sleep well,” said Misni when met at her house, Thursday (6/3/2025).
Misni said that Ribut left to become a migrant worker in Malaysia in 2006. At that time, Ribut said goodbye because she wanted to work as a domestic helper.
“She left to become a domestic helper in Malaysia in 2006. My sister already had one child, who was 4 years old at the time, and her husband was still with her,” she said.
When she left for Malaysia, Ribut’s child was left with her other older sibling. Meanwhile, Ribut’s husband, until now, the family also does not know what happened.
“The first year of work, she still sent letters, even money for her child’s school fees. But after that, until yesterday, there was no news,” he said.
There was no news for a long time, making the family anxious. In fact, the family went to the labor supply office, but the office was closed. Various methods were used to find Ribut Uripah’s whereabouts, including visiting a shaman.
Over time, the family gave up. They even thought Ribut was gone. “We were confused, what else could we do. That’s why we prayed for the best. Every Thursday-Friday we sent prayers. We thought he was gone,” Misni added.
Until finally yesterday, a video went viral in the Bawang area, showing the whereabouts of Ribut Uripah, whom they had been looking for. “It’s been a long time, 19 or 20 years. Because his child is currently studying in Semarang,” he said.
On Thursday (6/3) morning, the village officials together with the Bawang Muspika visited his house. For the first time, the family connected with Ribut via a group video call. “It’s nice to be able to chat, earlier my younger sibling (Ribut) was there, Mr. Yoyok too,” said Misni.
“My younger sibling wants to come home here, wants to see his child who is also studying,” he added.
Ribut was said to have refused to be evacuated by volunteers from the forest. This was revealed by former Batang Regent Yoyok Riyo Sudibyo. The man who now serves as a member of Commission I of the Indonesian House of Representatives even had time to communicate directly with Ribut via video call.
When contacted, Yoyok admitted that he initially obtained information about the Batang woman living in the Malaysian forest through social media. He finally immediately looked for the party who uploaded the information.
“The video appeared on TikTok viral. We immediately tracked the account that made it viral, we found a person from Medan named Mas Kris,” he said.
“He is a non-government activist who has indeed tried several times to facilitate people who are stranded, who need help in Malaysia,” added Yoyok.
Yoyok then relied on his network so that he could contact a Batang resident who is a migrant worker in Malaysia and whose location is close to Ribut’s location. Finally, the Batang resident was able to find him. However, he continued, at that time Ribut was not willing to be evacuated.
“Alhamdulillah, he was finally found. The condition of the mother, she is indeed afraid of meeting strangers,” he explained.
Finally, Yoyok softened by making a video call to Ribut. He coaxed her using the local language and dialect.
“I coaxed her using the Bawang dialect, so that she will also remember. Sampean nengkono why njulah. Bali bae nju saiki. Neng Bawang wis ana sepur (What are you doing there, miss. Let’s go home now. There is already a train in Bawang),” Yoyok coaxed.
With this approach, Ribut finally began to open communication. In fact, he who previously did not want to be evacuated to the shelter at the Indonesian Embassy, finally gave in.
“Alhamdulillah, after going through an approach, the blessing of Ramadan, willing to communicate, already willing to be evacuated to the Indonesian Embassy shelter,” he said.
Ribut was then taken to the shelter at the Indonesian Embassy. The next step, his party immediately coordinated with all related agencies.
It is estimated that it will take more than a week to repatriate Ribut.
“This is indeed not easy, there are procedures. The government is present, it has been covered, facilitated, later I will pick you up at Soekarno-Hatta Airport, at the right time,” explained Yoyok. ***
