inp.polri.go.id - Batam. Sub-Directorate IV of the General Criminal Investigation Directorate of the Riau Islands Regional Police uncovered three cases of Human Trafficking and non-procedural placement of Indonesian Migrant Workers (PMI) from July to August 2026.
In these disclosures, investigators arrested five suspects suspected of involvement in the recruitment, document processing, and departure of prospective PMI to Malaysia.
The Director of Criminal Investigation of the Riau Islands Regional Police, Senior Superintendent Ronni Bonic, stated that the disclosure of the three cases began with the arrest of five prospective non-procedural PMI by the BP3MI Riau Islands at Batam Centre International Port as they were about to depart for Malaysia.
The five prospective Indonesian Migrant Workers (PMI) are SU and MH from Trenggalek, East Java, AF from Pasuruan, East Java, and AH and NA from Cirebon, West Java.
Based on the investigation, the police named five suspects: PUR (42), FAT (38), ZAI (49), YAN (49), and WAH (51), who allegedly played a role in recruiting, accommodating, processing documents, and arranging the departure and placement of prospective migrant workers in Malaysia.
"The investigation revealed that these five suspects allegedly played different roles, ranging from recruiting and accommodating prospective migrant workers, processing travel documents, financing travel from their areas of origin to Batam, to arranging departures and coordinating with parties in Malaysia regarding job placement," he said (8/27/2026).
Ronni stated that the investigation revealed a structured departure pattern. Prospective migrant workers were recruited in their areas of origin, then directed to process travel documents non-procedurally, financed to Batam as a transit point, before being sent to Malaysia through a pre-established network.
During the investigation, investigators also secured several pieces of evidence, including passports, boarding passes, cell phones, ATM cards, bank books, travel tickets, four-wheeled vehicles, and motor vehicle documents.
"Currently, investigators from Sub-Directorate IV of the Criminal Investigation Directorate of the Riau Islands Regional Police are continuing to investigate the victims and dozens of witnesses, confiscating evidence, and examining experts from the Indonesian Migrant Workers Association (KP2MI) and criminal experts," he explained.
Pricillia also urged the public not to be easily tempted by offers of work abroad through unofficial channels, especially those promising fast processing and low costs.
(ad/ad/pr/rs)
