Jokowi Appreciates Cambodia In Helping To Save Indonesian Citizens Victims Of Trafficking In Persons

A total of 14 Indonesian citizens who were victims of fraudulent "online scams" companies from Cambodia were returned to Indonesia, Monday (8/8/2022). (ANTARA/HO-Kemlu RI/am)

LABUAN BAJO - President Joko Widodo appreciated the efforts to assist the Cambodian Government in rescuing a number of Indonesian citizens (WNI) who were victims of human trafficking some time ago.

Minister of Foreign Affairs (Menlu) Retno Marsudi said the appreciation was conveyed directly by President Jokowi to Cambodian Prime Minister (PM) Hun Sen when the two held a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the 42nd ASEAN Summit (KTT) in Labuan Bajo, West Manggarai Regency, East Nusa Tenggara, Wednesday, May 10.

"Mr. President (Jokowi) expressed his gratitude for Cambodia's assistance when we had to save Indonesian citizens who were victims of human trafficking, especially for online scams crimes," said Retno Marsudi in a statement after the bilateral meeting.

It is known, on December 9, 2022, the Indonesian Embassy in Phonom Penh has saved 34 Indonesian citizens who were deceived and held captive by an online fraud company in Poipet, Cambodia.

The rescue was carried out following the steps taken by the Indonesian Embassy to follow up on complaints from one of the Indonesian citizens, as a representative of the 34 victims of the fraud, in coordination with the Cambodian authorities.

Retno explained at the beginning of the bilateral meeting, Jokowi had expressed his appreciation for Cambodia's support for the Chairmanship of Indonesia in ASEAN 2023. In addition, Jokowi also congratulated Cambodia's Chairmanship in ASEAN in 2022.

The bilateral meeting between Indonesia and Cambodia took place after President Jokowi chaired the plenary session for the opening of the 42nd ASEAN Summit at the Meruorah Convention Center, Labuan Bajo, at 10.00 WITA. The issue of eradicating human trafficking has indeed become a special concern for Indonesia in the Chairship of ASEAN 2023.

Previously, Jokowi had stated that Indonesia would carry out discussions on the eradication of human trafficking in the 42nd ASEAN Summit, especially related to online scams.

"This is important and I deliberately propose it because the victims are ASEAN people and most of them are our Indonesian citizens," said Jokowi in Labuan Bajo, Monday (8/5).

Meanwhile, Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs (Menko Polhukam) Mahfud MD, while chairing the 26th Meeting of the ASEAN Political-Security Community Council (APSC), Tuesday (9/5), stated that ASEAN leaders would declare a joint commitment to eradicating human trafficking in the region.

"Our leaders will adopt the Declaration of Eradication of Human Trafficking Due to Technology Abuse," said MahfudMD.