President Jokowi Orders Immediate Measures to Tackle Human Trafficking

Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Mahfud MD delivers a statement after attending a Cabinet meeting on human trafficking prevention, Tuesday (05/30) in Jakarta. (Photo by: PR of Cabinet Secretariat/Agung)

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo on Tuesday (05/30) at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, chaired a Cabinet meeting on human trafficking prevention.

In the meeting, the President ordered government officials to take immediate measures to prevent and eradicate human trafficking.

“The President has ordered us to restructure the task force for human trafficking, and to take immediate measures this month to show the public that the State, the Indonesian National Police (POLRI), the Indonesian National Defense Forces (TNI) and other government officials can act swiftly,” Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Mahfud MD stated after attending the meeting.

According to Mahfud, data from the National Agency for Placement and Protection of Indonesian Migrant Workers (BP2MI) shows that the victims from Indonesia who died as a result of human trafficking are more than 1,900 people.

“In the province of East Nusa Tenggara, from January to May, 55 dead bodies have been returned home due to human trafficking,” he added.

As the holder of ASEAN chairmanship in 2023, Indonesia also plays a very important role in addressing human trafficking, especially in the ASEAN region, the Coordinating Minister said.

“All ASEAN countries ask Indonesia to take a leadership role in tackling human trafficking because the crime has disrupted the life of their people and it is a well-organized transnational crime,” Mahfud stressed.

The Coordinating Minister further said that measures to eradicate human trafficking were often hampered by bureaucratic problems and the presence of parties providing the support for the crime. The President, he added, reminded officials to avoid providing the upport for human trafficking crime.

“The president has ordered the National Police Chief to eradicate support for perpetrators of crime. The State should support law enforcement measures,” the Coordinating Minister remarked. (DND/UN) (RI/HD)