Deputy Minister of Women's Empowerment and Child Protection Highlights Suspected Child Trafficking Case in Makassar
Makassar (ANTARA) - Deputy Minister of Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection (PPPA) Veronica Tan highlighted a suspected child trafficking case that culminated in a human trafficking offence (TPPO) due to economic pressures, in Makassar, South Sulawesi, on Friday.
The incident followed the case of a mother with initials MT (38), who allegedly callously sold four children—three of her own and one nephew, all infants—before being arrested by police after being reported by her husband Anto (40).
According to Veronica, over the past year, there have been numerous cases involving women and children. However, families have become more courageous in speaking out about the victims’ experiences.
Therefore, the Ministry of Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection (KemenPPPA), together with the National Police (Polri), has responded by establishing the Directorate of Crimes Against Women and Children and Human Trafficking Offences (Dirtipid PPA-PPO).
This directorate, once launched, was activated to handle cases involving women and children across 11 regional police commands (Polda) and 22 police resorts (Polres) throughout Indonesia, and it is led by a female officer from the women’s police corps (Polwan).
“Actually, when discussing the end result of the violence that occurs, or parents harming their own children, even selling their own children, we see that it’s often due to family burdens, poverty, domestic disputes, economic pressures, and also educational burdens,” she stated.
In addition to the Makassar case, she mentioned a case of child violence involving molestation at a school in Batam. Veronica said such cases cannot be viewed in isolation, so joint steps are needed as preventive efforts in local communities.
“We see and hear about it too. So, it means that in every region, this becomes a challenge for us, that there are so many problems occurring—what are the roots?” she added.
Previously, the Dirtipid PPA-PPO team of the South Sulawesi Regional Police (Polda Sulsel) successfully arrested the alleged perpetrator of a Human Trafficking Offence (TPPO), a mother with initials MT (38), who allegedly sold her children for money in Makassar, South Sulawesi, yesterday.
“The suspect has been secured; she is a woman with initials MT,” said the Head of the PPO Sub-Directorate of the PPA-PPO Directorate of Polda Sulsel, Commissioner Police Zaki Zungkar, when confirmed by journalists in Makassar on Thursday.
The arrest of the alleged perpetrator followed up on a police report filed by her husband, the complainant named Anto, at the Criminal Investigation Unit of Polda Sulsel in early March 2026. A thorough investigation was then conducted.
After deepening the investigation into the report, the PPO and PPA Directorate team of Polda Sulsel moved quickly to locate the perpetrator who allegedly sold four children, three of whom were her own and one her nephew.
“Our members from the PPA Sub-Directorate Team of Polda Sulsel immediately moved, took statements, and checked everything. She was secured (apprehended) still in the Makassar area,” he emphasised.
Information provided by the complainant Anto, who is the husband of the alleged perpetrator MT, revealed that the victims’ children were allegedly sold to someone for prices ranging from Rp1.8 million to Rp8 million. Three were her children and one her nephew, allegedly trafficked by the perpetrator.