2 Illegal PMI Distributors From Bantul And Bandung Arrested By The Criminal Investigation Unit Of The Barelang Police Of Batam

Barelang Police PPA officers when visiting illegal PMI shelters. (ANTARA/HO-Head of Criminal Investigation Unit of Barelang Police)

BATAM - Two illegal Indonesian Migrant Workers (PMI) distributors were arrested by the Criminal Investigation Unit of the Barelang Police in Batam, Riau Islands.

"The two of them are Hurianah Nuryati (47) from Bantul and Dedeh Rohayati (52) from Bandung. We have secured both of them and are undergoing investigation," said Head of the Barelang Police Reskim Head, Kompol Abdul Rahman in Batam, Antara, Friday, June 3.

The arrests of these two perpetrators began with a public report that several people who were not known were accommodated in one of the houses located in Kampung Baru Number 323 RT 02 RW 13, Sei Binti Village, Sagulung District, Batam. Allegedly, they are illegal PMI candidates who will be dispatched abroad.

"The information we received was that the place was used as a PMI shelter and it was suspected that the victims would be illegally dispatched to Singapore and Malaysia," Rahman said.

Receiving the report, the Women and Children Protection Unit (PPA) of the Barelang Police Criminal Investigation Unit immediately went to the location. At the location, officers found two women as shelter owners and two women who were candidates for illegal PMI.

"The two victims are planned to be sent to Singapore and Malaysia to be employed as household assistants (ART). They have been in the shelter for several days," he said again.

After the arrest, the two perpetrators and the victim were taken to the Barelang Police Station for questioning.

"Currently, both perpetrators and victims are being investigated. They are charged with Article 81 of the RI Law Number 18 of 2017 concerning the Protection of Indonesian Migrant Workers with a maximum prison sentence of 10 years," said Rahman.