KKP Guards Repatriation Of 21 Prospective Crew Members Of Fisheries Ships Victims Of Alleged TIP

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) together with the International Organization of Migration (IOM) and the Destructive Fishing Watch (DFW) oversee the repatriation of 21 prospective fisheries crew members (AKP) who were victims of alleged criminal acts of trafficking in persons (TPPO) to their respective areas of origin/purposes.

Director of Fishing Ships and Fish Fishing Equipment Mochamad Idnillah said the AKP candidates had been secured by the Bali Police on Wednesday, August 13, 2025 at Benoa Public Port, after receiving public reports regarding the recruitment process and placement of AKP to work on fishing vessels not in accordance with statutory regulations.

"Based on information from the Bali Police, the alleged TIP reported included indications of non-transparent recruitment regarding work information," said Idnillah in a written statement, Tuesday, September 9.

Idnillah explained that the AKP candidate was isolated on the ship, there was a cut in network money and the detention of communication tools, so there was no access to communication with the family and the detention of identity documents.

During the security of the Bali Police, said Idnillah, all AKP candidates received assistance and assessment by DFW and Bali legal aid institutions to find out the risks that AKP and his family could face.

"The return of the AKP was carried out on September 2 by land transportation," he said.

According to him, the facilitation of AKP's repatriation is the commitment, responsibility and presence of the government in providing protection for the crew of fishing vessels as a whole, namely before, during and after working on fishing vessels.

Meanwhile, Acting (Plt) Director General of Capture Fisheries of KKP Ridwan Mulyana appreciated all parties involved in the repatriation of the AKP candidate.

Pihaknya juga memastikan komitmen KKP dalam perbaikan tata kelola perekrutan dan penempatan AKP, khususnya transformasi kelembagaan agen perekrut, yaitu menjadi agen AKP berbadan hukum dan memiliki perizinan berusaha sesuai ketentuan perundang-undangan, profesional dan kompeten.

"Kami mengimbau kepada pemilik kapal perikanan, agar memastikan perekrutan dan penempatan, pemenuhan hak atas upah dan kondisi kerja serta kesejahteraan AKP, dilakukan sesuai ketentuan dan perundang-undangan. Hal ini dalam rangka menjamin keberlangsungan usaha penangkapan ikan di Indonesia," ucap dia.

His party also ensures the KKP's commitment to improving the recruitment and placement of AKP, especially the institutional transformation of recruiting agents, namely being AKP agents with legal entities and having business licenses in accordance with statutory, professional and competent provisions.

"We appeal to fishery ship owners to ensure recruitment and placement, fulfillment of the rights to wages and working conditions as well as AKP welfare, carried out in accordance with the provisions and regulations. This is in order to ensure the sustainability of fishing businesses in Indonesia," he said.