Komnas HAM Examines Findings Of Human Confinement At The Langkat Regent's House By Checking The Publication Of The Plan

Commissioner for Monitoring and Investigation of Komnas HAM Mohammad Choirul Anam/ Antara

JAKARTA - The National Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM) said it would explore its findings regarding human cages at the Langkat Regent's house.

"(An examination of Terbit, ed) next week," Komnas HAM Commissioner Choirul Anam told VOI, Friday, February 4.

During the examination, Komnas HAM will explore all of their findings, including allegations of violence against occupants of human cages.

Anam did not specify when exactly the examination was carried out. However, he said the examination was an opportunity for Terbit to explain the reason for the existence of a place that is often referred to as a rehabilitation facility for drug users.

"The inspection is part of the regent's right to convey anything related to the cage incident," he said.

"Everything is related to the incident (to be investigated, ed)," added Anam.

Komnas HAM revealed that there had been violence against the occupants of the human cage at the Terbit Plan house. This finding was obtained after interviewing a number of witnesses.

In addition, a pattern was found on how the abuse of residents who claimed to be drug addicts occurred. In fact, there are a number of codes related to the persecution incident. In this regard, the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) opened the door and facilitated Komnas HAM to conduct an examination of Terbit, who is now a suspect in the alleged bribery of infrastructure procurement in Langkat Regency, North Sumatra.

"The Komnas HAM has coordinated with the KPK regarding the plan to request information and information from the Langkat Regent regarding the alleged existence of a human cage in his private home," Acting KPK Spokesperson for Enforcement Affairs Ali Fikri told reporters, Wednesday, February 2.

"Furthermore, the KPK welcomes and will facilitate these activities," Ali 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 Angin 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 community reports, they stated that the occupants of the human cages received cruel behavior such as violence, irregular eating, not getting paid while working in Terbit's oil palm plantation and limited access to communication with outsiders.