Indonesia Uncovers 189 Human Trafficking Cases in First Half of 2025

Jakarta, VIVA – The Directorate of Women and Children Protection and Eradication of Human Trafficking Crimes (PPA & PPO) under the Criminal Investigation Agency (Bareskrim) of the Indonesian National Police revealed that 189 cases of human trafficking were uncovered during the period of January to June 2025.

Brigadier General Nurul Azizah, Director of PPA and PPO, stated that a total of 546 victims were identified in these cases, most of whom were women and children.

"Among them were 260 adult women, 45 female children, 228 adult men, and 23 male children," Azizah said in a statement on Friday (June 20).

The main methods used in these trafficking cases were the non-procedural placement of Indonesian migrant workers (PMI) (117 reports), commercial sexual exploitation (48 reports), and child exploitation (24 reports).

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"This shows that the crime is real, massive, and continuously targets the most vulnerable groups in the country," she remarked.

Azizah then emphasized that there is zero tolerance for traffickers, “Whoever is involved—brokers, parents, or even officials—will be dealt with firmly according to the law.”

The majority of the uncovered TPPO cases involved illegal deployment of PMI. The victims mostly came from West Java, North Kalimantan, South Sulawesi, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), West Nusa Tenggara, and North Sumatra.

These victims were trafficked to countries such as Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand, Syria, Dubai, and South Korea, where they were exploited in informal sectors, plantations, or forced to become operators in online scams.

"We urge the public to remain vigilant. Don’t be easily lured by promises of high-paying jobs abroad. Always verify the legality of recruitment agencies and ensure there are clear employment contracts to protect migrant workers’ rights," Azizah stated.

Meanwhile, North Sumatra Police’s Narcotics Directorate, led by Police Commissioner Jean Calvin Simanjuntak, reported a case involving a migrant worker and two drug couriers who attempted to smuggle 7.5 kg of narcotics from Malaysia via sea to Asahan Port, enticed by a promised payment of IDR 40 million.

“We managed to save approximately 35,000 lives from this drug threat. The operation was a joint effort between the Criminal and Narcotics Units,” Simanjuuntak said, separately.

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The majority of the uncovered TPPO cases involved illegal deployment of PMI. The victims mostly came from West Java, North Kalimantan, South Sulawesi, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), West Nusa Tenggara, and North Sumatra.