Menpora Fully Supports Recovery Efforts For Cage Victims In Langkat, One Of Them Is Boxer

Source: Kemenpora.go.id

JAKARTA - Minister of Youth and Sports (Menpora) Zainudin Amali received a delegation from the Witness and Victim Protection Agency (LPSK) at the Kemenpora office, Graha Pemuda Building, Senayan on Tuesday, April 5 afternoon WIB.

The arrival of the LPSK group to the Kemenpora was to discuss cooperation in handling victims of the human cage case at the Langkat Regent's house, North Sumatra.

"We are currently handling and providing protection to victims of human cages in Langkat, North Sumatra, at the house of the Langkat regent," said Edwin Partogi Pasaribu as Deputy Chair of LPSK to Menpora quoted from the official website of the Ministry of Youth and Sports.

The discovery of the victim in this cage was revealed when the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) conducted a Hand Catch Operation (OTT) against the Langkat regent on January 19. From the results of field visits conducted by LPSK, it was also found that 65 victims were, on average, young, including one of whom was an accomplished boxing athlete.

"We found about 65 people (victims) who were last in the cage and most of them were young people. Even among them there are quite good achievements, namely boxing athletes, who have many awards and achievements. He is 15 years old," he explained.

The victims were put in cages because they were considered to have problems with drugs, domestic violence, gambling and other cases. However, in reality, the victims who were placed in cages were not only sentenced to prison but also exploited, employed in oil palm plantations belonging to the regent and subjected to extreme torture.

The incident then had an impact not only on the physical but also on the psyche of the victims. This is what makes LPSK then collaborate with relevant ministries and agencies including the Ministry of Youth and Sports for the recovery process.

"The high achievers may be fostered and sent to school. I saw that at the Youth Empowerment Ministry, the Deputy for Youth Empowerment has programs for State Defense, Entrepreneurship Development. Perhaps the Menpora, because of their situation, most of them are afraid to be witnesses, afraid to be questioned by the police," said Edwin.

After listening to the LPSK report, Menpora Zainudin Amali then expressed his gratitude to those who had helped and accompanied the victims, including athletes.

Menpora Amali ensured that his party provided support for the recovery efforts of the victims of cages at the Langkat regent's house.

"Regarding the recovery effort, we will help if it is possible for us to help. Hopefully there will be no more. I thank LPSK," said the Menpora.