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Jakarta, VIVA – The Law Enforcement Task Force for the Protection of Indonesian Migrant Workers (PMI), under the Directorate of Crimes Against Women and Children (PPA) and the Directorate of Human Trafficking Crimes (PPO) of the National Police’s Criminal Investigation Agency (Bareskrim), uncovered nine cases of human trafficking in North Kalimantan.
Brigadier General Nurul Azizah, Director of PPA and PPO Bareskrim, stated that dozens of workers were saved from illegal cross-border trafficking to Malaysia.
“Eightt-two prospective migrant workers were rescued from illegal attempts to send them to Malaysia through unofficial routes,” said Azizah on Wednesday (May 7).
The case was uncovered following inspections of passengers aboard the KM Talia on May 5, 2025, and the KM Bukit Sibuntang on May 6, 2025, which led to the discovery of nine separate cases and the arrest of seven suspects.
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The trafficking scheme involved smuggling migrant workers through small ports on Sebatik Island bound for Tawau, Malaysia.
Victims were charged between IDR 4.5 million and IDR 7.5 million, despite many lacking proper documentation.
“This enforcement will not stop here. We are continuing to investigate and uncover the international networks behind this crime. All perpetrators, including any involved insiders, will be dealt with firmly,” Azizah emphasized.
Evidence seized includes 14 passports, 13 mobile phones, 13 ferry tickets, two leave letters from Malaysian companies, and three vaccination cards from Malaysian clinics.
The 82 victims have been transferred to the BP3MI shelter for further assessment and data recording.
The suspects are being charged under Article 81 in conjunction with Article 69 of Law No. 18 of 2017 on the Protection of Indonesian Migrant Workers, Article 4 of Law No. 21 of 2007 on Human Trafficking, and Article 120 paragraph 2 of Law No. 6 of 2011 on Immigration. If convicted, they face up to 15 years in prison.
Earlier, the Law Enforcement Task Force (Satgas Gakkum) of the Migrant Worker Protection Desk successfully thwarted a non-procedural or illegal trafficking attempt at the Indonesia-Malaysia border.
The operation took place at Tunontakan Port, Nunukan Regency, North Kalimantan—one of the strategic exit points used to reach Malaysia.
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“This enforcement will not stop here. We are continuing to investigate and uncover the international networks behind this crime. All perpetrators, including any involved insiders, will be dealt with firmly,” Azizah emphasized.
