TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - As many as 13 Indonesian citizens who are suspected of being victims of human trafficking crime in Myanmar finally arrived safely in Indonesia on Friday (07/07), at 17:55 WIB (Western Indonesian Time). Their successful return is the result of close cooperation between the Indonesian Embassies (KBRI) in Bangkok and Yangon, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Indonesian Migrant Worker Protection Agency (BP2MI), and the RPTC of the Ministry of Social Affairs.

The Indonesian citizens previously worked at a company in Myawaddy, Myanmar, which turned out to be involved in online fraud practices. The location is located in a conflict area that is difficult for the Myanmar government's legal apparatus to reach. On June 7, 2023, the 13 Indonesian citizens managed to escape from the company and cross over to Maesot, Thailand. The Indonesian Embassy in Bangkok swiftly provided protection and accompanied them during the inspection process by the Thai authorities. During that time, the Indonesian Embassy continued to ensure that the security and needs of Indonesian citizens were properly met.

After being determined as victims of human trafficking by the Multi-Disciplinary Team in Maesot, the process of repatriating the Indonesian citizens can be carried out immediately with assistance from the Indonesian Embassy in Bangkok. Through intensive coordination with the Thai authorities, the Indonesian citizens were finally released and welcomed by the Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Thai Ministry of Social Affairs and representatives from the Indonesian Embassy in Bangkok.

The Indonesian citizens came from various regions in Indonesia, including West Kalimantan, Jakarta, East Java, North Sumatra and West Sumatra. Their return shows the state's strong commitment to protecting Indonesian citizens amidst the complex and risky security situation in Myanmar. In addition, preventive measures need to be continuously improved, including strict law enforcement against recruiters and increasing public awareness regarding the mode of fraud as online scammers.

The repatriation of 13 Indonesian citizens suspected of being victims of human trafficking is an important step in efforts to protect Indonesian citizens abroad. The government is committed to continuing to oversee and ensure the security and interests of Indonesian citizens wherever they are.

TEMPO.CO | Ministry of Foreign Affairs

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