Prabowo Appreciates Thailand's Help in Repatriating 1,000 Indonesian Scam Victims

President Prabowo Subianto has expressed his appreciation to the Thai government for its assistance in repatriating 1,000 Indonesian citizens who were victims of online scams. The statement was made during a joint press conference with Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul at the Merdeka Palace in Central Jakarta on Monday. “On behalf of the Indonesian nation, I would like to express my appreciation and gratitude to the Thai government for the close assistance and cooperation in facilitating the repatriation of Indonesian citizens who were victims of online scams. The number is quite large, approaching 1,000 Indonesian citizens,” Prabowo said. Prabowo stated that this assistance was very meaningful and demonstrated the relationship between the two countries. “Once again, Your Excellency, on behalf of the nation and people of Indonesia, I would like to express my deepest thanks and appreciation,” he said. To this end, both countries agreed to strengthen political and security cooperation, particularly in handling transnational crime, including online fraud. The cooperation will also cover the exchange of information and intelligence, joint investigations, tracking financial flows, and law enforcement coordination to dismantle transnational crime networks. Indonesia and Thailand will also continue to optimise defence and security cooperation through the Indonesia-Thailand High Level Committee and the Indonesia-Thailand Security Dialogue. “We also support the development of the Trans-national Referral Mechanism (TRM) as a breakthrough to accelerate the protection, identification, and repatriation of victims of transnational crime in a safe and dignified manner,” he said. On the same occasion, PM Anutin agreed to increase assistance and cooperation in combating transnational crime, particularly online fraud, human trafficking, and narcotics. “In this regard, we will cooperate more, both in terms of law enforcement, intelligence information exchange, capacity building for officials, and cooperation at the regional ASEAN level,” he said. He also shared that the Thai government was open and pleased to have provided information regarding Indonesian citizens who were victims of online scams in neighbouring countries and Thailand. According to him, at least 1,000 people have been safely returned to Indonesia, while 500 others are still waiting. “More than 500 people are still awaiting repatriation. My government will accelerate the process of their return to their homeland as soon as possible,” Anutin said.