Coordinating Minister for Politics, Law, and, Security Affairs Mahfud MD made the remarks while issuing a press statement at the Jakarta Presidential Palace on Tuesday.
According to the minister, the person protecting or backing the criminal act of human trafficking (TPPO) often becomes an obstacle in efforts to prevent and eradicate TPPO in Indonesia, besides bureaucratic issues.
“Sometimes, we already know the perpetrators but are hampered by bureaucracy, maybe also by backing and others,” the minister said.
Therefore, President Widodo has ordered General Prabowo to eradicate this illegal protection practice while chairing an internal meeting to eradicate TPPO.
"There is no backing for criminals. The backing for truth and law enforcement is the state," Mahfud emphasized.
He added that during the 42nd ASEAN Summit in Labuan Bajo, East Nusa Tenggara, earlier this month, he chaired the 26th Meeting of the Council of the ASEAN Political-Security Community (APSC), which discussed the region's joint efforts to prevent and eradicate TPPO.
During the meeting, ASEAN countries asked Indonesia to take the lead in eradicating TPPO, he informed.
"Because for them the crime of human trafficking has really disrupted the life of the nation since it is a transnational crime that works very neatly," the minister said.
Earlier, Mahfud also informed that the President has ordered a restructuring of the task force for eradicating and preventing TPPO.
At the 42nd ASEAN Summit, President Widodo invited ASEAN countries to take firm action against the perpetrators of human trafficking crimes, a concern shared by leaders in the series of meetings.
"Things that become the interests of the people are an important concern of the leaders, including the protection of migrant workers and victims of human trafficking. I invite ASEAN countries to take firm action against the perpetrators," he said at the closing press conference for the ASEAN Summit in Labuan Bajo on May 11, 2023.
During the 42nd ASEAN Summit, ASEAN leaders produced at least three documents related to migrant workers and human trafficking.
The first is the Declaration on the Eradication of Human Trafficking as a Result of the Misuse of Technology, the second is the Declaration on the Placement and Protection of Migrant Fishermen, and the third is the Declaration on the Protection of Migrant Workers and Family Members in Crisis Situations.
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Translator: Gilang Galiartha, Resinta S
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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