"Chief of National Police has strong commitment. I have no doubts. It is very strong, " Head of Indonesian Migrant Workers Protection Agency Benny Rhamdani said here on Wednesday.
He commended Prabowo's work to form the task force following President, Joko Widodo's directive to take firm action against those who protect human traffickers.
According to Rhamdani, the formation of task force is proof of the police chief's commitment to prevent and address human trafficking.
"Forming an anti-human trafficking task force is cool," he said.
He is confident that Prabowo would collaborate with others in carrying out his duties.
Human trafficking is a serious issue which the government highlights. Some time ago, President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) led an internal meeting with his cabinet to discuss the issue.
On Tuesday, May 30, Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs Mahfud MD said there were so many human trafficking cases, in which people who were sent overseas ended up becoming enslaved and tortured, and some died.
He delivered the statement after the meeting.
"We have human trafficking issues, in which people were sent overseas, and then enslaved, tortured, fallen victims to an illegal workforce-placement," Mahfud said.
Minister Mahfud also cited report from BP2MI, which stated that in one year, 1,900 bodies of human trafficking victims were returned to Indonesia.
In East Nusa Tenggara, from just January to May 2023 there were 55 deceased people who were returned, he pointed out.
Hence, President Jokowi called for restructuring the anti-human trafficking task force, and the authorities immediately took relevant measures, Mahfud noted.
"And then he ordered for immediate measures within a month, to show to the public that the state, police, military, and other authorities take immediate action, and (ready to address) this," he said.
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Translator: Laily Rahmawaty, Mecca Yumna
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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