Puan Highlights The Spike In The Death Of Illegal Indonesian Migrant Workers Victims Of Online Scams In Cambodia

JAKARTA - Chairman of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Puan Maharani, highlighted the surge in the death of Indonesian citizens (WNI) in Cambodia by up to 75 percent due to online scam or online fraud practices.

According to him, this is a reminder of the importance of preventing Indonesian migrant workers (PMI) from illegally departing for Cambodia as a form of protection for Indonesian citizens.

"This phenomenon must be a warning for the government to maximize protection for our PMIs, which we know are not a few of them coming to Cambodia due to fraudulent acts," said Puan Maharani, Tuesday, April 29.

"We cannot turn a blind eye to how widespread the current crime mode has been against PMI. Victims are not only economically disadvantaged, but also physically and lives," he added.

Based on data from the Indonesian Embassy to Cambodia, the number of cases of troubled Indonesian citizens (WNIB) has increased by 60 times in the last 5 years, from 2020 to 2024. A sharp spike can be seen from 56 cases in 2020, to 3,310 cases in 2024. The most worrying thing is that 75 percent of these cases are related to Indonesian citizens who are trapped in online scam work.

The Cambodian Embassy (Kedubes) stated that it had handled 92 cases of Indonesian citizens' deaths for 2024, of which the number increased 24.3 percent from 2023. When compared to 2020, there was only 1 Indonesian citizen death throughout that year.

Puan assessed that this is no longer a domestic issue, but has been included as a regional emergency. He also emphasized the importance of encouraging Indonesia to actively encourage the ASEAN Task Force on Migrant Workers (TFAMW) to strengthen the protection of the rights of migrant workers in the region.

"Indonesia must encourage the role of TFAMW as a collective response to cross-border crimes, especially digital-based ones such as online scam syndicates," explained Puan.

For information, TFAMW is a civil society network in Southeast Asia that focuses on advocacy for the protection of migrant workers' rights in the region. TFAMW plays a role in encouraging ASEAN to be more active in ensuring migrant workers' rights are protected, including in terms of decent work standards, minimum wages, and human rights protection.

So far, Indonesia has been actively supporting TFAMW activities and encouraging ASEAN member countries to implement effective consensus and policies related to migrant workers. Indonesia prioritizes the protection of migrant workers and has taken various steps to ensure that the rights of migrant workers are respected and protected.

Puan emphasized that this condition must be a momentum to strengthen regional cooperation in protecting migrant workers from increasingly sophisticated transnational crimes. Including Indonesia's efforts to encourage the expansion of the mandate of the TFAMW task force, especially in terms of protecting migrant workers from digital exploitation, as well as strengthening coordination between countries and handling victims.

"Indonesia must emphasize the importance of ASEAN establishing a joint protocol for emergency protection for victims of exploitation, as well as requiring transparent and integrated data collection of migrant workers between countries," said the former Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture.

Puan also encourages education to the public to continue to be encouraged. Because according to him, not a few Indonesians have left for Cambodia and its surroundings due to online scams that promise jobs with the lure of lucrative salaries.

"The cases of online fraud that led to death are strong warnings. This is a homework for the Government to ensure that the nation's children are not easily tempted by the sweet promises of work abroad, without clarity," said Puan.

"Especially if the job offers do not involve official agencies, or departures through non-procedural channels. So the task of the Government here is to improve literacy and socialization to the public about the dangers of going to work abroad illegally," he added.

According to Puan, prevention efforts are one of the steps to protect the PMI. In addition, the handling of PMI cases that are victims of fraud in Cambodia must also be maximized.

"We can take advantage of technology in preventing and fighting crimes like this. How socialization and campaigns are also increasingly being massive through various media facilities," explained Puan.

Puan also ensured that the DPR would continue to oversee and be part of the solution so that the tragedy that befell Indonesian citizens abroad can be minimized.

"The DPR together with the Government will collaborate with international apparatus and partners to strengthen the legal protection system for migrant workers, including those departing through non-procedural channels," he said.