The preventive action was the result of a joint operation conducted by the Riau Indonesian Migrant Workers Protection Service Center (BP3MI) and the Riau Regional Police’s General Criminal Investigation Directorate, according to a statement from KP2MI on Saturday.
Head of BP3MI Riau, Fanny Wahyu Kurniawan, said the operation began with information received in the early hours of Saturday about suspected human trafficking (TPPO), which was immediately followed up by a joint team.
"The team saw five victims waiting to be picked up. Shortly afterward, a white Toyota Avanza driven by the perpetrator arrived at the location and was immediately intercepted," he said.
"Five minutes later, the team also caught a black Toyota Avanza driven by another perpetrator," he added.
Kurniawan said the two men, who acted as pick-up personnel and drivers, were arrested while attempting to collect the 22 prospective illegal migrant workers, one of whom was a child.
Based on the interrogation, the two perpetrators admitted to receiving orders from other parties to transport the victims to a departure point in Selinsing, on the Dumai–Bengkalis border, before heading to Malaysia.
"After arriving at the pick-up point, the two perpetrators were arrested by the police," Kurniawan confirmed.
All victims were later taken to the BP3MI office in Pekanbaru for data collection through the SISKOP2MI system before being returned to their respective homes.
Meanwhile, the two perpetrators are being held at the Riau Regional Police headquarters for further investigation. Authorities will also look into the possible involvement of other parties in the human trafficking scheme.
Separately, Minister of P2MI Abdul Kadir Karding reminded the public to beware of recruiters who use “pleasant language” to persuade people to work illegally abroad.
He emphasized that those who leave the country illegally are vulnerable to becoming victims of human trafficking, torture, and exploitation.
Minister Karding stressed that the safety and protection of Indonesian migrant workers’ rights can only be guaranteed if they depart through legal procedures.
"We urge everyone who wishes to work abroad to do so legally. Do not believe offers of quick jobs without proper documentation, as the risks can be severe," he said.
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Translator: Katriana
Editor: M Razi Rahman
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