Hundreds Of Indonesian Citizens Victims Of Online TIP Scam Have Returned To Indonesia, KSP Appreciates Ministry Of Foreign Affairs

Jakarta Main Expert Staff of the Presidential Staff Office Siti Ruhaini Dzuhayatin said that the release and repatriation of Indonesian citizens who were victims of online TIPs were the result of the government's quick work in dealing with TIP from upstream to downstream.

It is known, based on the records of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 25 Indonesian citizens trapped in the Myanmar-Thailand border conflict area can be released through the Indonesian Embassy in Yangon and the Indonesian Embassy in Bangkok, in early May 2023. Shortly after the release, the Indonesian government together with the Philippine authorities managed to free 240 Indonesian victims of TIP in a company complex that carries out online scam practices. In which, 53 Indonesian citizens have been repatriated on May 25 and 26, 2023, and the rest are still undergoing the process in the Philippines.

"In the upstream, we are moving quickly, including a coordinative response from the Ministry/Institutions and local governments," said Siti Ruhaini, in her statement, Sunday, May 28.

Meanwhile, on the downstream side, according to Ruhaini, the Indonesian government has succeeded in encouraging ASEAN member countries to carry out concrete cooperation in dealing with TIP, especially with online scamming fraud modes. So that the local authorities become much more responsive in efforts to save Indonesian citizens who are at the location of online scam companies.

"KSP expresses high appreciation to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the ranks of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for strengthening the careful response of ASEAN member countries to concrete and friendly cooperation in handling TIP," he said.

Ruhaini assessed that the cooperation will be even stronger with President Joko Widodo's encouragement to emphasize the importance of TPPO discussions in organizing the 42nd ASEAN Summit, in Labuan Bajo, on 9 May 11, 2023. Where, President Jokowi emphasized that important aspects of Epicentrum of Growth which focus on economic resilience, energy and health should not forget their negative impacts.

"Especially on the misuse of digital and online technology which actually has an impact on humanization and human trafficking, which is referred to as modern slavery," he said.

He added that President Jokowi's encouragement towards handling TIP in ASEAN also needs to be implemented in plenary and inclusive cooperation in preventing, handling, and repatriating victims. So that the relevance and benefit of ASEAN for residents in the region, namely ASEAN Matters and the epicentrum of Growth, will become more meaningful and substantive.

On that occasion, Ruhani also encouraged all parties to jointly carry out digital and economic literacy so that young digital literates are not easily tempted by unnatural job offers.

"A fast confirmation system and accessable from the relevant ministries, institutions and governments is very much needed," said Ruhaini.

In line with this, the Presidential Chief of Staff continues to encourage local governments to also need to open up opportunities for doing business in their area so that young people are not tempted to leave their homes.

"This is important for the prevention of TIP upstream," he concluded.

Caption : Main Expert Staff Of The Presidential Staff Office Siti Ruhaini Dzuhayatin