Eradicating TIP Syndicates Requires Extraordinary Measures, Says Lawmaker Sahroni

Deputy Chairman of Commission III of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI), Ahmad Sahroni, has called on the National Police Chief, the Minister for the Protection of Indonesian Migrant Workers (KP2MI), and the Directorate General of Immigration to strengthen coordination and take extraordinary measures to eradicate the criminal act of human trafficking (TPPO). According to him, the practice of sending illegal migrant workers remains a serious problem that must be addressed comprehensively, from law enforcement against syndicates to strengthening the supervision system and governance of migrant worker placement. ‘Lately, I have been reading and receiving many reports about TPPO which is increasingly worrying. The methods are becoming more sophisticated, and the number of victims continues to grow. This must be a serious concern. I fully support the National Police Chief, the Minister for the Protection of Migrant Workers, and the Director General of Immigration in taking extraordinary steps to dismantle the syndicates down to their roots, not just stopping at field recruiters,’ said Sahroni in his statement on Wednesday (29/7). According to Sahroni, the eradication of TPPO must also be accompanied by improvements to the migrant worker placement system so that the public finds it easier to access official channels and does not fall into illegal networks. ‘Law enforcement must go hand in hand with improved governance. Simplify official channels, close loopholes for illegal levies, and tighten supervision at every exit point of the country,’ he said. ‘The state must be present to protect migrant workers from the beginning of the departure process, because they leave to seek a better life and contribute foreign exchange to the country, not to become victims of human trafficking mafias,’ concluded Sahroni.