"This is since it would not yield optimal results in handling human trafficking cases, if we do nothing to prevent it," Marsudi emphasized during her working visit to the West Kalimantan Police Headquarters in Pontianak on Thursday.
The visit is also aimed at intensifying coordination with stakeholders in West Kalimantan that handle cases of human trafficking.
Related news: Police foil human trafficking attempt in W Kalimantan
"Through this coordination, we will do our best to prevent the occurrence of human trafficking cases. We are also here to hand over two victims of human trafficking to the West Kalimantan governor, and they can then return to their families," the minister stated.
Marsudi remarked that the Indonesian Embassy in China had sheltered 18 people, who had allegedly fallen victim to human trafficking with the same modus operandi of contract marriage.
"For us, the figure is quite high. President Joko Widodo has expressed high concern over the case and ordered immediate action to be taken to solve the problem and prevent the recurrence of such cases in future," she revealed.
The Indonesian government will also need to work closely with the Chinese authority to solve the problem.
Marsudi stated that the ministry had held a meeting with the Chinese Foreign Ministry to discuss the issue. "We want to view this issue as a human trafficking case and not merely common marriages. With this common perception, it will be easier to handle the case," the minister stated.
A total of 13 women from Sanggau District of West Kalimantan and 16 women from West Java were reportedly hoodwinked into entering into contract marriages by human trafficking rings.
The women were lured into these marriages on the promise of a happy married life. However, once the victims arrived in China, they were exploited to work in their husbands' families.
EDITED BY INE
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Translator: Andilala, Sri Haryati
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
Copyright © ANTARA 2019
