Komnas HAM Asks KPK To Realize The Offer To Check Terbit Rencana Perangin Angin

The inactive Regent of Langkat, Terbit Rencana Perangin Angin using a KPK prisoner vest. (Photo: Antara/Rivan Awal Lingga)

JAKARTA - The National Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM) has asked the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) to open the door so that an investigation into the inactive Langkat Regent Terbit Rencana Perangin Angin can be carried out.

This examination relates to the finding of a human cage at Terbit's residence which is suspected of violating human rights due to violent practices.

"Regarding the Regent, we ask that we open the door as wide as possible to explore the issue of human cages," said Komnas HAM Commissioner Choirul Anam, quoted from the video caption, Monday, January 31.

Anam submitted this request to the KPK because Terbit is currently being detained for being a suspect in receiving bribes related to infrastructure procurement. The determination as a suspect began with a hand arrest operation (OTT) which at the same time uncovered the existence of the human cage.

Returning to Anam, he said an examination of Terbit was planned this week. It is hoped that the KPK will seriously realize its statement some time ago which said it was ready to cooperate with Komnas HAM.

"I beg the KPK to realize the offer. We hope this week we can do it," he said.

Furthermore, Anam said that the cooperation between the KPK and its institutions was already underway in an effort to investigate the human cage. "It's just not optimal because the time has not been met," he said.

Meanwhile, a number of things that will be investigated by Komnas HAM when examining publications are about the background of the establishment of the human cage, from when, to exploring other findings. It is hoped that after this inspection process is carried out, the existence of this human cage will become clear.

"This process is important (asking for information from the publication, ed). For what? So that the clarity of events gets better and better and the public knows," said Anam.

"In addition, Komnas HAM is also getting easier and better when drawing conclusions and making recommendations," he added.

As previously reported, the existence of a human cage suspected of being a form of slavery at the home of the inactive Langkat Regent Terbit Rencana Perangin Angin was revealed after the KPK came there to carry out a hand arrest operation (OTT).

Instead of finding Terbit, the KPK team found a number of people confined in an iron cage. At that time they claimed to be oil palm workers on Terbit's land.

Subsequently, these findings were reported by Migrant Care to Komnas HAM. Based on reports from the public, they said that the occupants of these human cages received cruel behavior, such as violence, irregular eating, and restrictions on access to communication with outsiders. This includes not being paid for working in the palm oil plantation owned by Terbit Rencana Perangin Angin.