110 Indonesian Citizens Survived The Cambodian Scam Online Snare, DPR Asks KP2MI To Tighten Worker Protection System

Member of Commission IX DPR RI F-NasDem Nurhadi (Photo: DOK nasdemdPRI.id)

JAKARTA - Member of Commission IX of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Nurhadi, welcomed the government's move, especially the Ministry of Empowerment and Protection of Indonesian Migrants (P2MI), which ensured that 110 Indonesian citizens (WNI) victims of online scam crime in Cambodia were immediately repatriated to their homeland.

"This is clear evidence that the state does not remain silent when its citizens are victims of cross-border digital exploitation," Nurhadi told reporters, Monday, October 27.

The NasDem politician assessed that the case should be a warning to the public against the dangers of online fraud modes which lead to forced labor. He also emphasized the importance of assisting the victims upon arrival in the country as part of the recovery and trauma healing process.

"This case must be a serious warning to all of us. The mode of online fraud that leads to forced labor is not only a matter of crime, but also a matter of humanity. Therefore, handling must not stop at the airport," said Nurhadi.

According to him, the state needs to ensure that there is assistance, rehabilitation, and social reintegration so that the victims really recover and do not return to being trapped in a similar situation.

As a member of Commission IX in charge of employment affairs, Nurhadi also encouraged the government to tighten supervision of the line of placement of workers abroad. He assessed that the protection of Indonesian migrant workers (PMI) needed to be strengthened from upstream to downstream.

"We must no longer be missed by illegal recruitment practices that trap young people with fake promises of work. The state is here not only to repatriate it, but to ensure its citizens are protected," he said.

Nurhadi ensured that Commission IX of the DPR would continue to oversee protection efforts for migrant workers and Indonesian citizens abroad to be stronger, humane and just.

Previously, the Minister of P2MI, Mukhtarudin, said that as many as 110 Indonesian citizens who were victims of online scams in Cambodia would soon be repatriated. They are known to have fled from an online fraud company in Chrey Thum City, Kandal Province.

Of the total 110 victims, 97 Indonesian citizens managed to escape first, while the other 13 were evacuated by the P2MI team. Mukhtarudin emphasized that the government will ensure that the entire repatriation process runs safely and is coordinated with various related parties.