Minister Mukhtarudin Proposes Law Enforcement Unit to Combat Human Trafficking and Illegal Migrant Workers

Minister for the Protection of Indonesian Migrant Workers (P2MI) Mukhtarudin has stated that the non-procedural or illegal placement of Indonesian migrant workers (PMI) often leads to the criminal act of human trafficking (TPPO). He proposed the formation of a law enforcement unit (Gakkum) within the Ministry of P2MI to strengthen efforts to eradicate TPPO.

This was conveyed by Mukhtarudin during a working meeting with House of Representatives (DPR) Commission IX at the DPR Building in Senayan, Jakarta, on Friday (17/7/2026). Initially, Commission IX member Irma Suryani Chaniago highlighted the rampant illegal departures of migrant workers, which frequently result in TPPO cases.

‘Mr Minister, perhaps we need to intensify efforts regarding illegal departures, which lead to human trafficking, usually TPPO,’ Irma said. Irma also requested that the Ministry of P2MI strengthen prevention efforts, including legal protection for migrant workers in destination countries. ‘Then legal protection in the destination country, Sir, that is often what prevents our illegal workers from obtaining justice there. They depart illegally, and then do not report to the embassy, so there are many problems there,’ she stated.

Responding to this, Mukhtarudin said that non-procedural placement and TPPO are like two sides of the same coin. According to him, many TPPO cases begin with the illegal departure of migrant workers. ‘Regarding the protection of migrant workers and the empowerment of migrant workers, frankly, especially for illegal placements, the difference between TPPO and non-procedural placement is very thin. So it is like two sides of the same coin: non-procedural placement and TPPO,’ said Mukhtarudin.

He mentioned that many cases start with non-procedural placement and end with the individual becoming a victim of TPPO in the destination country. However, handling TPPO is not solely the responsibility of the Ministry of P2MI. He said the Ministry of P2MI is only one member of the TPPO task force. Nevertheless, he confirmed that his party continues to coordinate with other ministries and agencies.

‘Frankly, I am already very frustrated with this TPPO issue. Because people do not know, when someone working abroad becomes a victim, it means this is a migrant worker. When they are a migrant worker, the complaint comes to us,’ he said. ‘So whether they are a victim of TPPO or a non-procedural placement, the ones who complain always hold KP2MI accountable. But we are magnanimous about it. My entire staff and I are magnanimous, whatever the case may be, whether they are a TPPO victim or a non-procedural placement, as long as they are an Indonesian citizen in trouble, we will do our utmost to resolve it,’ he continued.

Furthermore, Mukhtarudin expressed his desire for a Gakkum unit within his ministry. He believes the existence of Gakkum is important to strengthen the handling of TPPO cases and illegal migrant worker placements. ‘I do have a desire, it seems this is actually urgent, but at least the concept I want to convey is that we also need some kind of Gakkum in this ministry,’ he said. ‘Just as there is a Gakkum for the Environment, a Gakkum for Forestry, and a Gakkum for Energy and Mineral Resources, because this concerns lives. The issue is not only about natural resources but this concerns people’s lives,’ he continued.

Mukhtarudin said the idea is still a concept. He hopes the existence of Gakkum can later strengthen the position of the Ministry of P2MI in preventing TPPO. ‘So we are strengthening the position of KP2MI in the context of prevention and also law enforcement in order to suppress TPPO and non-procedural placements. But this is still a new concept that I am trying to coordinate with all stakeholders or related parties,’ he concluded.