Otoritas : Jurnal Ilmu Pemerintahan
Vol. 16 No. 2 (2026): August 2026

Empowering migrant workers through multi-helix governance: the Indonesia–Malaysia corridor

Lely Indah Mindarti (Department of Public Administration, Universitas Brawijaya, Indonesia)
Heri Prayitno (Library Center, Universitas Brawijaya, Indonesia)
Pipit Tunjungsari (Library Center, Universitas Brawijaya, Indonesia)
Mochammad Zainal Mustofa (Department of Public Administration, Universitas Brawijaya, Indonesia)
Ahmad Zubir Ibrahim (School of Government, Universiti Utara Malaysia, Malaysia)



Article Info

Publish Date
24 Aug 2026

Abstract

The Indonesia–Malaysia migration corridor hosts 550,000 documented and over one million undocumented Indonesian migrant workers (PMI), yet lacks a governance framework integrating migration stages from pre-placement through post-return, into a unified empowerment model. This study examines the roles, collaboration, inhibiting factors, and strategic recommendations for strengthening multi-stakeholder synergy through a multi-helix governance approach to PMI empowerment in Malaysia. Using a qualitative single-case study design, data were collected through semi-structured interviews with nine informants (Indonesian Embassy officials, civil society organizations/CSOs, migrant workers, and shelter residents) in Kuala Lumpur in February 2026, supplemented by document analysis and processed using NVivo 14. Findings reveal seven key actors sharing 68 responsibilities concentrated heavily during employment (47%), with the post-return stage most neglected, marked by circular migration, failed reintegration, and the private sector withdrawal. Three systemic barriers emerged: bureaucratic rigidity, weak cross-border law enforcement, and PMI vulnerability. This study introduces a “protection paradox,”whereby stricter bilateral regulations inadvertently drive informal migration, and proposes a tiered framework repositioning CSOs as institutionalized first responders while integrating village-based post-return mentoring, offering practical guidance for policymakers across Southeast Asian labor migration corridors.

Copyrights © 2026






Journal Info

Abbrev

otoritas

Publisher

Subject

Social Sciences

Description

Otoritas : Jurnal Ilmu Pemerintahan, with registered number ISSN 2088-3706 (Print), ISSN 2502-9320 (Online) is a Peer-reviewed journal published twice a year in April and October by Department of Governmental Science, Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, Muhammadiyah University of Makassar in ...