inp.polri.go.id - Jakarta. Indonesian House of Representatives Speaker Puan Maharani assessed that the spike in the number of deaths of Indonesian migrant workers (PMI) in Cambodia due to online fraud practices (online scams) should be a reminder for the Government to maximize protection for Indonesian migrant workers.
"This phenomenon should be a warning for the Government to maximize protection for our migrant workers, who we know quite a few of them came to Cambodia due to fraudulent actions," said Puan in a statement received in Jakarta, quoted by Antaranews on Tuesday (4/29/2025).
According to her, the government and the public cannot turn a blind eye to the rampant mode of crime against Indonesian migrant workers lately because the victims are not only harmed economically, but also physically and mentally.
Puan also revealed that the cases of online fraud that resulted in death were a strong warning for the Government to ensure that the public are not easily tempted by sweet promises of work abroad without any clarity.
Moreover, she said, if the job offers do not involve an official agency or departure through non-procedural channels.
"Therefore, the government's task here is to increase literacy and socialization to the public regarding the dangers of going abroad to work illegally," he said.
Puan further stated that the problem of online fraud that resulted in death in Cambodia was no longer a domestic issue, but had become a regional emergency.
To that end, she emphasized the importance of Indonesia actively encouraging the ASEAN Task Force on Migrant Workers (TFAMW) to strengthen the protection of migrant workers' rights in the region.
"Indonesia must encourage the role of TFAMW as a collective regional response to transnational crimes, especially those based on digital such as online scam syndicates," she said.
According to Puan, the case should be a momentum to strengthen regional cooperation in protecting migrant workers from increasingly sophisticated transnational crimes.
Lastly, he ensured that the Indonesian House of Representatives will continue to monitor and be part of the solution in minimizing tragedies that befall Indonesian citizens abroad.
(ad/inp/pr/nm)
