Records of Indonesian Migrant Workers (SBMI), since April this year, as many as 29 women have become victims of trafficking in persons to China with the matchmaking mode. 13 people are from West Kalimantan and 16 others are from West Java.
Reported by BBC New Indonesian, the secretary-general of SBMI, Bobby Alwi, said that the police were able to dismantle the trafficking syndicate in West Kalimantan, especially domestic recruits.
“If the network here can be turned off, the matchmaker or recruiting agent will also die by itself,” said Bobby Alwi.
Bobby hopes that the local government is more serious in socializing with the public about the dangers of contract marriage with foreign nationals.
“If it’s just a handling effort, we’re in trouble. What must be strengthened is prevention through outreach to the community,” he said.
Meanwhile, the spokesman for the West Kalimantan Regional Police, Donny Charles Go, said that the trafficking syndicate in his area had been around for a long time. However, the police find it difficult to take action and bring the perpetrators to jail because of the lack of evidence in court.
“In 2018 we also handled TIP, but we have difficulty proving it because the prosecutor has its own standards. Yes, the perpetrators were released, because the prosecutor considered that there was not enough evidence,” said Donny Charles Go to BBC News Indonesia.
However, in mid-June, the Kalimantan Police managed to arrest a perpetrator suspected of being a recruiter and host for female victims. From the confession of the suspect who is a local resident, he has several times “sent” women to China.
The suspect will be threatened by Law no. 21/2007 on the Eradication of the Crime of Trafficking in Persons, with a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison.
From the arrests, the police also handed over seven Chinese citizens to the Immigration Office for deportation for violating visa rules.
“The foreigner was sent to immigration because of visa abuse. Came here as a tourist but got married instead,” he continued.
Donny Charles said the phenomenon of contract marriage should not be underestimated by the local government. Residents must continue to be socialized so that they are not easily lured by promises by unknown people.
“How to provide counseling to residents, because when we appeal and process the law, the residents themselves are vulnerable to being persuaded there. Easy to lure,” he concluded.
