Extortionists 'must be punished'

JAKARTA (JP): The Association of Indonesian Manpower Suppliers urged City Police Chief Maj. Gen. Hamami Nata yesterday to discipline government officials who extort money from unskilled workers who return from overseas.

The appeal was made by the association's chairman, Anton Sihombing, at a meeting between police and businessmen at City Police Headquarters yesterday.

"Extortion activities have reached such disturbing levels that it's time now to bust officials, who, in their activities, usually act in the name of their institutions," he said.

Anton said some extortionists ask workers to pay a Rp 250,000 (US$102) "entrance fee" on their arrival at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport.

"The reason behind the fee collection is unclear," he said, adding that the illegal fee burdened the workers, including domestic helpers and construction workers.

Hamami responded positively to the association's demand by instructing his subordinates to check on the report.

"If it's true, we'll take stern measures against those involved. Their activities can be compared to those done by street hoodlums. Instead of being preyed upon, workers have to be protected," he said.

Hamami also ordered Tangerang Police precinct Chief Lt. Col. Iman Haryatna to bring any extortionists to justice.

Besides the extortionists, Anton also told Hamami about the operation of illegal manpower suppliers.

Anton said that he had demanded the Ministry of Manpower to take action against illegal suppliers, who usually disregard procedures when sending workers overseas.

They just neglect procedures because they find some requirements very complicated, Anton said.

The requirements included insuring all workers a supplier sends and a bank deposit of Rp 1 billion (US$408,163), he said.

Anton said that suppliers should send better quality workers to maintain foreign countries' trust in Indonesian workers' credibility. (cst)