Former Langkat Regent Suspected of Corruption, Slavery

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Migrant Care on Monday officially filed a report against former Langkat regent Terbit Rencana Perangin Angin to the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) on the suspicion of committing modern slavery against workers employed at Terbit’s palm plantation. 

Migrant Care chairperson Anis Hidayah said the illegal practice came to light after the former regent was nabbed in a sting operation (OTT) by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) on January 18. 

“The KPK sting operation has opened a Pandora's box committed by the former regent,” said Anis at the Komnas HAM headquarters on January 24. 

One of the alleged crimes is the prison-like facilities the former regent built to accommodate his plantation workers. According to Anis, there are two prison complexes behind the former regent’s house where plantation workers stay. 

Anis said Terbit also built a cage inside the house. “According to reports, there are 40 people who were put inside this cage.” Terbit Rencana Perangin Angin is also believed to torture the plantation workers.

Reports also emerged claiming the former regent had not only physically tortured workers but also exploited their working hours, restricting their movements, and many more. The Migrant Care chairperson also said the palm plantation workers were not paid and deprived of enough food. 

National Commission on Human Rights commissioner Mohammad Chairul Anam asserted that Komnas HAM will immediately handle and investigate the reports. 

Read: Migrant Care to File Report against Former Langkat Regent over Alleged Modern Slavery

MIRZA BAGASKARA