inp.polri.go.id - Riau. The Riau Regional Police's General Criminal Investigation Directorate (Ditreskrimum) has successfully arrested two suspects who acted as transporters for 22 illegal Indonesian migrant workers (PMI) from Malaysia. 

The arrests took place early Saturday (August 9, 2025) on Jalan Arifin Ahmad Selinsing, Pelintung Village, Dumai City. Riau Police Criminal Investigation Director, Senior Commissioner Asep Darmawan, stated that the two suspects, identified as DA (49) and MR (29), were arrested along with evidence: two Toyota Avanza cars and two mobile phones used to coordinate with the perpetrators' network.

The two suspects picked up the illegal PMI who entered through a remote port on the Dumai-Bengkalis border and then took them to a temporary shelter. 

"These victims returned from Malaysia without official immigration procedures," said Asep, Monday (August 11, 2025).

The investigation revealed 22 victims, consisting of 17 men, 4 women, and 1 child. They came from various regions in Indonesia, such as Aceh, Jambi, West Sumatra, West Kalimantan, West Nusa Tenggara, and Lampung. 

The Head of Public Relations of the Riau Police, Senior Superintendent Anom Karinto, emphasized that this disclosure was part of the police's efforts to eradicate the influx of illegal Indonesian migrant workers from Malaysia.

This case serves as a warning that illegal sea routes in Riau are vulnerable to exploitation by criminal networks. 

“We will continue to tighten supervision and take firm action against all parties involved," he said. 

The suspects are being charged under Article 2 or Article 4 in conjunction with Article 10 of Law No. 21 of 2007 concerning the Eradication of the Crime of Human Trafficking, and Article 120 paragraph (1) of Law No. 6 of 2011 concerning Immigration. Both carry a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison.

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