Indonesian National in Cambodia Dies of Hepatitis, Body Repatriated to Deli Serdang

 Phnom Penh: The Indonesian Embassy in Phnom Penh, in coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has facilitated the repatriation of the body of an Indonesian citizen, Nazwa Aliya (NA), from Deli Serdang, North Sumatra. The remains were flown from Phnom Penh on Saturday, August 30, 2025.

According to official statements from the Cambodian hospital and police, NA passed away on August 12, 2025, at Siem Reap Referral Hospital due to toxic hepatitis (liver failure) caused by an overdose of paracetamol. 

NA had been in Siem Reap since May 30, 2025, living with an old acquaintance of the family. She entered Cambodia on a tourist visa and did not work during her stay. Authorities confirmed there were no indications that she was a victim of human trafficking.

When contacted by the Foreign Ministry on May 31, 2025, NA stated she had left Indonesia voluntarily due to family matters. She confirmed that she was free to move and communicate.

Offered mediation with her family, NA declined and requested that the Indonesian Government respect her decision as an adult traveling legally.

On August 12, 2025, the Foreign Ministry visited NA’s family home in Deli Serdang to convey condolences and explain the steps taken in handling the case. Through diplomatic channels, the Embassy also requested further investigation from Cambodian authorities regarding the incident.

According to the Embassy’s written statement, NA’s body was scheduled to arrive at Kuala Namu Airport, Medan, on Sunday, August 31, 2025, before being handed over to her family by the Foreign Ministry. The repatriation process was supported financially by a donor who coordinated directly with the ministry.

In 2024, the Indonesian Embassy in Phnom Penh handled 3,310 cases involving Indonesian nationals, including 92 fatalities. Of those deaths, 78 percent were due to illnesses or medical conditions such as stroke or heart disease (41%), tuberculosis or pneumonia (21%), and diabetes (7%). None were reported as linked to organ trafficking.

As of July this year, the Embassy has handled 3,256 Indonesian citizen cases. The Embassy urged Indonesians in Cambodia to maintain healthy lifestyles and avoid actions that could negatively affect their physical and mental well-being.