Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Indonesia will seek the return of the body of migrant worker Ruyati who was executed in Saudi Arabia recently for murdering her employer.

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono had instructed his foreign minister to approach the Saudi government for the repatriation of Ruyati`s body.

Manpower Minister Muhaimin Iskandar said at the presidential palace on Thursday the president gave the instruction at a cabinet meeting on Wednesday evening.

He said efforts are still being made through the Saudi embassy here or through other parties concerned by the Indonesian representative in Saudi Arabia.

"We have informed the Saudi embassy here. The foreign ministry has also ordered its representatives to lobby parties concerned with regard to it. We continue to work," he said.

Muhaimin said among the obstacles to be faced in getting Ruyati`s body sent home were religious tradition and the process of taking the needed political decision.

He said however he was optimistic the body of the migrant worker could later be returned for burial at home but he could not predict when it would be realized.

"We cannot predict but we keep working," he said.

Ruyati`s family had appealed to the government to help return the body of Ruyati for burial at home.

Ruyati`s execution has caused an uproar in the country with the government being accused of incapability to prevent it.

The Indonesian government had strongly protested the Saudi government for failing to give prior notice on the execution.
(T.D013*P008/Uu.H-YH/HAJM/A014)

Editor: Priyambodo RH
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