A young Indonesian national has reportedly been detained by Myanmar’s military junta on suspicion of supporting anti-government rebels, prompting concern from Indonesian lawmakers and calls for immediate diplomatic action.

The revelation was made by Foreign Affairs Commission I member of the House of Representatives (DPR), Abraham Sridjaja, during a hearing with the Minister of Foreign Affairs on Monday, June 30, 2025.

He disclosed that the individual, a 33-year-old social media influencer, was accused of financing rebel groups, an allegation he described as unsubstantiated.

“There is one of our citizens being detained in Myanmar, accused of funding rebel groups. He’s just a young man, the same age as me only 33. And as far as I know, he never had such intentions,” Abraham told the hearing.

He added that the individual was merely a content creator with no known political agenda, urging the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to push for the detainee’s release through amnesty or deportation.

While the government has yet to confirm the detainee’s identity, speculation has intensified online. Some netizens suggest the individual could be Arnold Putra, a controversial designer and online adventurer whose last public social media post was in September 2024. His prolonged silence has raised suspicions, although no official confirmation has been issued.

Foreign Minister Sugiono has not commented directly on the case but reiterated a strong advisory for Indonesians to conduct thorough research before traveling or working abroad, especially in conflict zones like Myanmar.

“Myanmar is in the midst of a civil war. Dealing with the junta does not guarantee safety across all regions. Each area requires a tailored approach,” Sugiono said.

The Foreign Ministry also reminded all Indonesian citizens overseas to register via the Safe Travel portal and report their whereabouts using the Peduli WNI platform for easier tracking in emergencies.

In a separate case, the Indonesian Migrant Workers Protection Agency (KP2MI) confirmed ongoing efforts to secure the release of four other Indonesians believed to be held against their will in Hpa Lu, Myawaddy, near the Thai-Myanmar border. These individuals were allegedly trafficked and forced to work as online scammers by criminal syndicates operating in the region.

While quoting the information from Deputy KP2MI chairperson Christina Aryani, Abhraham said the four Indonesians were trapped in an isolated conflict zone between armed ethnic groups and Myanmar’s military, a condition that complicates their rescue efforts.

Despite logistical and security hurdles, authorities assured that efforts are underway to repatriate all affected nationals safely.