Migrant Workers Allegedly Drowned Intentionally

A human trafficking syndicate has allegedly committed a crime against humanity on the east coast of Sumatra. Since the end of 2021, at least 44 migrant workers have drowned and other 76 people have been declared missing.

KOMPAS/PANDU WIYOGA

A speedboat from Customs and Excise officers and a boat from the Marine and Coast Guard Unit ambushed a boat that smuggled migrant workers in a simulation held in Batam waters, Riau Islands, Wednesday (19/1/2022).

BATAM, KOMPAS — A human trafficking syndicate has been suspected of deliberately sinking a boat carrying migrant workers to mislead authorities. The indication was unveiled by a team of the Indonesian Migrant Workers Protection Agency (BP2MI), which was investigating the incident at the end of 2021 that killed 22 Indonesian migrant workers in the waters off Johor, Malaysia.

The head of the BP2MI, Benny Rhamdani, said in Batam on Thursday (30/3/2023) that the indication of the alleged sinking of the boat was obtained from the findings of the BP2MI investigation team led by Insp. Gen. Achmad Kartiko, the agency’s deputy for placement and protection in Europe and the Middle East. According to Benny, these indications have been reported to Coordinating Political, Legal and Security Affairs Minister Mahfud MD.

On 15 Dec, 2021, a boat carrying 64 undocumented Indonesian migrant workers sank in Johor waters. A total of 22 people died and 29 others went missing. It was the worst migrant worker boat accident in seven years.

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Benny said that in the incident, the human trafficking syndicate allegedly sank one of their boats intentionally in order to attract the attention of the authorities. That way, other boats carrying a larger number of undocumented migrant workers could pass unnoticed.

"If these indications can be later proven, it is a very barbaric crime," said Benny.

There are at least two methods used by human trafficking syndicates to smuggle migrant workers from Batam to Malaysia. The first way is by sending undocumented migrant workers on boats through illegal ports, or what are often called “rat” ports.

According to Kompas' records, since December 2021, there have been seven cases of sinking of boats carrying migrant workers in the eastern waters of Sumatra. At least 44 migrant workers were killed and 76 other went missing.

KOMPAS/PANDU WIYOGA

Head of the Indonesian Migrant Worker Protection Agency or BP2MI Benny Rhamdani (left) meets RD Chrisanctus Paschalis Saturn in Batam, Riau Islands, Thursday (30/3/2023).

The last incident occurred in Batam waters on 14 Nov., 2022. Seven people died in the incident, including a 3-year-old child.

Humanitarian activist in Batam, Chrisanctus Paschalis Saturnus, said there were indications that a syndicate deliberately sank the boats carrying migrant workers to deceive the authorities. A similar mode is usually used by perpetrators to destroy evidence when they are being ambushed by the authorities.

”I am not surprised about BP2MI’s finding because such information has actually been circulating for a long time. What is important now is how to punish the mastermind behind the syndicate so that such a crime can be stopped," Paschalis, who is also a Catholic priest, said on Friday (31/3/2023).

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He said the syndicate that was involved in the transportation of illegal workers in Batam also carried out activities in Central Java, East Java, East Nusa Tenggara and West Nusa Tenggara.

Many migrant workers from the four regions have become the victims of boat sinkings in the waters east of Sumatra.

Officers

The second method used by trafficking syndicates to smuggle migrant workers is by cooperating with officials at official ports. Romo Paschalis once helped Kompas and a number of other media organization to reveal this at the end of 2022.

We dare to say that some officials are involved. They must be made common enemies.

At least 200 migrant workers are sent illegally using two ferries every day from the Batam Center International Ferry Port to Tanjung Pengalih, Malaysia. One of the smugglers admitted that he paid Rp 300,000 per migrant worker to unscrupulous officials (Kompas, 12/20/2022).

“We dare to say that some officials are involved. They must be made common enemies. They deserve to be labeled state criminals because they make money by selling the nation's children. This is a crime that cannot be tolerated,” Benny said.

KOMPAS/PANDU WIYOGA

Head of the Indonesian Migrant Worker Protection Agency (BP2MI) Benny Rhamdani visited migrant workers victim of illegal placement who was housed at the Migrant-Migrant Pastoral Shelter in Batam, Riau Archipelago, Thursday (30/1/2023).

Based on BP2MI data, the number of Indonesian migrant workers abroad is about 4.2 million people. However, according to the World Bank, the number of Indonesian migrant workers abroad has reached 9 million people.

According to Benny, there are 4.4 million undocumented migrant workers. They are most likely victims of illegal placement by syndicates. He also mentioned that there were unscrupulous officials who worked together with the human trafficking mafia.

Migrant workers who leave without going through the proper processes get minimal protection and are prone to experiencing violence. In the last three years, there were about 3,700 migrant workers who were sent back to Indonesia because of being sick or injured due to violence.

"In addition, there are 1,700 coffins of migrant workers who have entered the country," said Benny.

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On 30 March, Benny met the head of the Riau Islands Regional Police, Insp. Gen. Tabana Bangun. After the meeting, Benny said, they discussed a number of modes of illegal placement of migrant workers that were rampant in the Riau Islands as well as the strategy of the government and state apparatus to prevent them.

In a written statement, Tabana said the Riau Islands Police were committed to eradicating the mafia that trafficked undocumented migrant workers. Even though it is not easy, Tabana believes syndicates involved in human trafficking can be eradicated if the local government and the police work together, especially in regions where migrant workers originate.

”I agree with BP2MI. We are committed to eradicating the transportation of illegal migrant workers. The Riau Islands Police will break the chain of syndicates that have claimed many victims. These incidents should not be allowed to continue,” Tabana said on Thursday (30/3/2023).

This article was translated by Hendarsyah Tarmizi.