Inp.polri.go.id - Tanjung. Tabalong Sub-Regional Police has arrested five suspects, identified as In (38), UD (37), AB (36), PH (32), and AS (44), who are linked to alleged human trafficking crimes (TPPO) involving the umrah pilgrimage scheme.

Police Superintendent Anib Bastia, the Chief of Tabalong Sub-Regional Police, stated the arrest was a result of ongoing investigations related to a previous case involving the primary suspect, RM (62), residing in Mahe Pasar Village, Haruai Subdistrict.

"We have arrested one woman and four men who are allegedly involved in criminal activities or assisting in attempted TPPO," he said, as quoted by Antaranews on Monday (26/6/23).

He explained that the suspects played roles as recruiters and passport handlers, facilitating overseas employment under the guise of the umrah pilgrimage scheme.

Based on the confessions of the suspects, they had previously worked in Saudi Arabia using umrah permits, thus gaining experience in handling requirements for working abroad but doing so illegally.

"The victims were promised high salaries by the recruiters and were deceived into working abroad without going through official employment agencies," he said.

Meanwhile, Hard Frankly Merentek, the Head of the Indonesian Migrant Workers Protection Service (BP3MI) of South Kalimantan, emphasized that in accordance with regulations, travel agencies or umrah operators are prohibited from deploying individuals as workers.

The suspects are charged under Article 10, in conjunction with Article 2, paragraph (1) of Law No. 21 of 2007, concerning the Eradication of Human Trafficking Crimes, or under Article 83, in conjunction with Article 68 of Law No. 18 of 2017, concerning the Protection of Indonesian Migrant Workers.

(fa/hn/um)