Reviewing Borders, Director General Of Immigration Affirms Prevention Of Trafficking In Persons

Director General of Immigration of the Ministry of Law and Human Rights Silmy Karim during a working visit to the border at the Entikong National Border Post (PLBN), North Kalimantan, Monday (5/6/2023). ANTARA/HO-Imigration

JAKARTA - Director General (Dirjen) of Immigration of the Ministry of Law and Human Rights Silmy Karim emphasized his commitment to preventing criminal acts of trafficking in persons (TPPO) against Indonesian citizens (WNI) while reviewing the borders of Indonesia and Malaysia.

"In terms of TIP problems through the border, the issue is not only at immigration checkpoints, but also about problems that occur along the border," said Silmy as quoted by ANTARA, Tuesday, June 6.

Silmy asked the public to play an active role in providing information related to the border.

For Silmy, the rise of TIP shows the importance of education to the public.

The immigration office should be able to provide an understanding of the dangers of TIP and explain the possible picture if someone is trapped by TIP.

"What the employer's agent/calo promised did not match the reality. Arriving at the passport location was detained, was employed not in accordance with the initial recruitment, his salary was not paid, and so on," said Silmy.

This is because PMIs who enter illegally make their bargaining positions weak and accept cruel treatment.

Silmy further expressed the reason for his arrival to see firsthand the conditions at the border, gather information and discuss the problems faced.

During his visit, Silmy also crossed into neighboring Malaysia and will meet with the Director General of Immigration of Malaysia to discuss existing problems.

"For us, the most important thing is that the state must be present when its people have problems and how to provide the best service," he said.

Especially in terms of passport detention by employers, said Silmy, immigration can provide new passports or for problematic ones, SPLP (a passport-like travel document) can be given when their passport is withheld by the employer.

"We sit down together, we will solve the problem," he said.

In addition to education, the role of immigration is also vital in preventing TIP from upstream, especially in issuing passports.

Immigration will seek a mechanism so that checking the requirements for application for a passport to a related agency can be faster, easier and more accurate to reduce falsification of passport requirements documents.

In addition, each applicant must also include a guarantor or party who guarantees that the information he provides is correct.

Sometimes the applicant provides incorrect information and attaches invalid documents, both in terms of age and other identities. When blacklisted they try to use a new identity in order to get their passport back.

"With high enthusiasm, we together with relevant agencies support the eradication of TIP because it is very contrary to human rights," said Silmy.