Indonesia Will Follow Up On Information Sharing Plans With Thailand To Prevent TIP

JAKARTA - Indonesia will follow up on an information sharing plan with Thailand, in order to prevent the crime of trafficking in persons (TPPO), said Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono, after accompanying President Prabowo Subianto's state visit in Bangkok, Monday.

Foreign Minister Sugiono appreciated and was grateful for the support and assistance of the Thai government, so that hundreds of Indonesian citizens suspected of being victims of TIP could return to the country.

"We were assisted by the Thai government when the repatriation of Indonesian citizens was able to return to Indonesia. We thank you," he said in a statement, as quoted on Tuesday, May 20.

Foreign Minister Sugiono further explained that the two countries were trying to find steps and coordination, so that in the future similar things would not happen again.

Foreign Minister Sugiono explained that one of the things agreed between President Prabowo and Thai Prime Minister Paethongtarn Shinawatra in Monday's meeting was to increase cooperation in the security sector.

"In the security sector, agreed to improve security, especially regarding the issue of human trafficking and illegal drugs," said Foreign Minister Sugiono.

"From Thailand, we also realize that to be able to work together, good information sharing needs to be carried out, we will follow up later," said the Indonesian Foreign Minister.

It is known that Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono directly welcomed the return of 554 Indonesian citizens suspected of being victims of TIP in Myawaddy, Myanmar via Thailand on March 18. The repatriation was carried out in two waves, namely 400 people on March 18 and 154 people on March 19, with details of 449 men and 105 women.

"This repatriation effort by Indonesian citizens is President Prabowo's direction to protect and rescue Indonesian citizens who are experiencing problems abroad," said Foreign Minister Sugiono at the time.

It is known, this online scam case in Myawaddy is not the first case handled by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Online scam cases have occurred since 2020.

Previously, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs succeeded in repatriating 92 people in 2024 and 174 people in January February 2025. So far, more than 6,800 cases have been handled and spread across 10 destination countries.

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia, Arrmanatha Ch. Nasir, in a press statement last February, said that in order to overcome the problems of illegal migrant workers (PMI), in addition to improving performance and innovation downstream, in representatives of the Republic of Indonesia. No less important is to overcome the root of the problem upstream.

"Early prevention upstream is the key to success in reducing the number of cases regarding PMI and Indonesian citizens abroad," he said.

Foreign Minister Sugiono previously appealed to people who want to work abroad not to be easily influenced by the lure of unclear promises and using official, legal and accountable routes.