Political Rights and Citizenship Education for Indonesian Migrant Workers in Malaysia ahead of Village Head Elections: A Participatory Community Service Program

Rekho Adriadi; Titi Darmi; Tri Agustin; Oktari Dwi Miranti

doi:10.59535/fgfwxr11

Authors

Rekho Adriadi Department of Public Administration, Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, Universitas Muhammadiyah Bengkulu, Indonesia Author
Titi Darmi Department of Public Administration, Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, Universitas Muhammadiyah Bengkulu, Indonesia Author
Tri Agustin Department of Public Administration, Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, Universitas Muhammadiyah Bengkulu, Indonesia Author
Oktari Dwi Miranti Department of Public Administration, Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, Universitas Muhammadiyah Bengkulu, Indonesia Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.59535/fgfwxr11

Keywords:

migrant workers, citizenship education, political rights, Pilkades, diaspora engagement

Abstract

Indonesian migrant workers retain citizenship and political interests while abroad, yet physical distance, demanding work conditions, and different electoral procedures can limit effective participation in local political life. This community service program provided political-rights and citizenship education for Indonesian migrant workers in Malaysia, with particular attention to village head elections (Pilkades). Implemented from March to November 2023 in partnership with PCIA Malaysia, the program reached approximately 120 migrant workers through six socialization sessions in the Kuala Lumpur–Selangor area, supplemented by four focus group discussions. Four modules addressed the foundations of political rights, the legal framework of Pilkades, remote and absentee voting mechanisms, and diaspora civic engagement through family and organizational communication. Evaluation combined a preparatory needs assessment, post-program survey, focus group discussions, and field observation. The intervention improved participants’ ability to distinguish national overseas-voting arrangements from village-level election procedures and stimulated more critical discussion of barriers to participation. Participants also identified family communication and diaspora organizations as practical channels for maintaining civic engagement when direct participation was constrained. Because the source program records do not provide verified numerical pre- and post-test scores, the article reports the outcome conservatively as a documented qualitative and self-reported improvement rather than assigning an unsupported effect size. The program demonstrates the value of trusted diaspora organizations as platforms for sustained civic education and policy feedback.

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