Komnas HAM Examination Is An Opportunity For The Langkat Regent To Explain The Existence Of A Human Cage

Langkat Regent's House/Photo: VOI

JAKARTA - The National Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM) stated that the examination of the Langkat Regent, who was not active in the issuance of the Wind War Plan regarding the existence of a human cage at his residence, was a form of granting rights.

Komnas HAM commissioner Choirul Anam said that Terbit had the right to speak anything about the human cage which is referred to as a rehabilitation center for drug users.

"We understand this as part of the regent's right to convey anything related to the cage," Anam told reporters quoted Monday, February 7.

Regarding the schedule for the examination of Terbit, Head of Komnas HAM Ahmad Taufan Damanik said the activity would be held today or Monday, February 7th.

The request for information, he continued, will be carried out at the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) office. The reason is that Terbit is currently being detained after being named a suspect in the bribery case for infrastructure procurement in Langkat Regency, North Sumatra.

"We will ask for information. Hopefully on Monday we will check this TRP brother (Terbit)," said Taufan in a virtual discussion, Sunday, February 6.

There are a number of things that will be explored further regarding this human cage, including the issue of the number of occupants. In addition, further investigation will also be carried out regarding allegations of violence that occurred which resulted in fatalities.

For information, the existence of a human cage suspected of being a form of slavery at the house 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, this finding was reported by Migrant Care to Komnas HAM. In their report, they stated that the occupants of human cages experienced cruel behavior such as violence, irregular eating, unpaid work while working in Terbit's oil palm plantation and restricted access to communication with outsiders.