JAKARTA - Indonesia’s Minister of Migrant Worker Protection (P2MI), Mukhtarudin, claimed there are no stranded Indonesian migrant workers in Thailand or Cambodia amid the renewed border conflict between the two countries.

He said there was also no information indicating the presence of Indonesian citizens affected by the hostilities in the two neighbouring nations, as reported by Tempo.

“Until today, there is none, no one yet. There are no of our migrant workers who are threatened,” he said when met at the P2MI Ministry office here on Monday.

Mukhtarudin explained that Thailand and Cambodia are not designated placement countries for Indonesian migrant workers as they do not meet Indonesia’s security requirements.

Despite this, he said his ministry would continue to closely monitor developments in both countries.

He added that P2MI would work with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to maintain direct communication with Indonesian embassies in Thailand and Cambodia.

The government, he said, would ensure that no Indonesian citizens were caught in the escalating conflict.

“We will continuously monitor the developments there. Once there are Indonesian citizens under threat, certainly the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Indonesian Embassy, together with P2MI, will be at the forefront,” he said.

The Thailand–Cambodia border conflict flared up again on Thursday, 11 December, with both sides exchanging gunfire near an ancient temple complex.

CNA reported that the clashes left 15 people dead, including Thai soldiers and Cambodian civilians.

The two countries have long disputed their 800-kilometre border, which includes several historic temple sites drawn during the colonial era.

More than half a million people from both sides have fled areas affected by air strikes, tanks and drones, with the conflict spreading to five provinces in Thailand and five in Cambodia.

Al Jazeera, citing The Khmer Times, reported that Thai forces were suspected of launching fresh attacks early Friday in three Cambodian provinces.

Shots were fired in Ta Moan, Ta Kra Bei and Thmar Daun in Oddar Meanchey, while artillery shelling was reported in Phnom Khaing and An Ses in Preah Vihear, as well as in Prey Chan and Boeung Trakuan in Banteay Meanchey.

Although no new casualties were reported, at least 600,000 people have fled on both sides of the border following the collapse of a ceasefire mediated by United States President Donald Trump last October.