Indonesian Foreign Ministry Receives Complaint of Alleged Human Trafficking in Cambodia

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs responds to alleged human trafficking in Cambodia. The deceased son of an online ‘ojek’ driver, Handi Musaroni, was a suspected victim of human trafficking.

“The Indonesian Embassy in Phnom Penh and the Directorate of Citizen Protection have received the complaint and are handling the case of the late Handi Musaroni. Based on the statement of Cambodian authorities, the cause of death was a heart attack,” said ministry spokesperson, Roy Soemirat, on Wednesday, September 11, 2024.

Roy claimed the Indonesian Embassy in Phnom Penh is probing Handi’s place of employment. Roy said the company is responsible for repatriating the body. 

“However, we could not contact the company so far,” Roy said, adding that the body of Handi Musaroni is still stored at Yim Funeral House, facilitated by the Indonesian Embassy.

Meanwhile, Roy said the Embassy had contacted Handi’s family. Roy went on to say that the Embassy would help with the repatriation efforts. “In accordance with the applicable procedures, and prioritizing the responsible parties,” Roy explained.

Siti Rahmah, the mother of Handi Musaroni, said Handi departed for Cambodia on May 16, 2024. Arriving at the country, Rahma said Handi sent the location of the company where he proceeded to work, but the bereaved mother stopped short of mentioning the company’s name.

“The company was located near Tuol Sangke, Phnom Penh, Cambodia,” she said.

Rahma admitted communication with her 24-year-old son was smooth-going at first. However, a month later, Handi told Rahma that he had fallen ill. “I received the news via phone that my son had fallen ill due to chronic liver on August 16, at around 11:00 a.m. WIB (Western Indonesia Time),” she said.

Handi, at the time, alluded that he wanted to come home to Indonesia but was unable to cover the expenses. “Since the company held his salary, he didn’t have the money to go home,” Rahma said.

Less than 24 hours later, Rahma was informed by her sibling that Handi had passed away on August 16. Rahma’s younger sibling received the news from Handi’s team leader at the company where he worked. 

Handi’s body is now stored at Yim Undertaker Cambodia, at Steung Meanchey Pagoda, Monireth Blve No. 217, Sangkat Steung Meachey, Khan Meanchey, Phnom Penh, Cambodia. 

Rahma asked for the assistance of the Indonesian Embassy for Cambodia on August 19 and September 10. “To find the location of his body and to request assistance from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to repatriate my son,” Rahma said.

However, the ministry’s response was unsatisfactory for Rahma. According to her, the Indonesian Embassy doubted that her son was a victim of human trafficking. “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said I had to prove that he was a victim of human trafficking,” she said. 

Additionally, Rahma said the Embassy refused to accommodate the repatriation of her son’s body if the human trafficking allegation was unfounded. In that case, she would have to pay for Rp120 to 200 million by herself.

Thus, Rahma hoped that the Indonesian government could help her repatriate her deceased son’s body from Cambodia. 

Meanwhile, the Chairperson of the Indonesian Transport Workers Union, Leily Pujiati, said her organization is raising donations to help Rahma. Soon, her union will also hold a demonstration to urge the Indonesian government to respond to the alleged human trafficking case. "We will take to the streets in solidarity," she said.

ADIL AL HASAN

Editor’s Choice: Ministry Reports 107 Indonesians Trafficked to Myanmar in 2024        

Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News