House of Representatives Considers Special Agency to Combat Human Trafficking

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - The House of Representatives’ Commission XIII is considering establishing a dedicated body to address human trafficking (TPPO).

The proposal will be examined during the revision of Law no. 21/2007 on the Eradication of Human Trafficking, which is deemed in need of strengthening to address evolving criminal methods.

Commission XIII Speaker Willy Aditya said forming a special body is one option to discuss during the revision process. He views human trafficking as an “extraordinary crime” that requires stronger institutional frameworks and coordination.

“Almost all extraordinary crimes have dedicated bodies to handle them. Therefore, we will see the direction this revision takes, whether an agency‑level body is required,” Willy said in a statement received in Jakarta on Thursday, August 20, 2026, as quoted by Antara.

Willy believes the need for a specialized agency is growing as human trafficking methods evolve, particularly with the rise of digitalization. The crime is no longer limited to the exploitation of migrant workers; it also includes online fraud, sexual exploitation, and organ trafficking carried out by international networks.

He noted that the state faces well‑organized human trafficking syndicates and that victims remain isolated and vulnerable. This means handling human trafficking cannot be done in a piecemeal manner.

“There is an opportunity to create such a body. I think it is a very real possibility, given that the ‘extraordinary crime’ classification often points in that direction,” he said.

Willy added that addressing human trafficking requires strengthened interagency coordination and cross‑border cooperation -- whether bilateral, multilateral, or within the ASEAN region.

“Indonesia has long been known as a regional leader. We must take the initiative on this,” he said.

Deputy Speaker of the People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR RI), Lestari Moerdijat, also supports revising Law no. 21/2007. She believes updating the regulations is necessary to strengthen protections for Indonesian migrant workers and improve the governance of prevention and response efforts related to human trafficking.

Lestari says the law has not kept up with changing crime patterns. Human trafficking has become a transnational crime that uses digital technology and corporate structures. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) reported 2,908 victims of human trafficking in Indonesia, most of whom are women and children.

“The Human Trafficking Law still focuses on post‑incident criminal measures and has yet to address sociocultural root causes. Yet the current human trafficking ecosystem is driven by transnational corporations,” Lestari said.

She believes the revision must strengthen prevention and victim protection rather than focusing solely on enforcement after crimes occur. Oversight of migrant worker management also needs strengthening.

Eradicating human trafficking ultimately requires collaborative efforts, as the crime involves numerous parties and levels of authority -- from village and local administrations to immigration authorities, the police, and other stakeholders.

“This must be tackled through a collective movement involving every citizen, supported by a robust Human Trafficking Law as a tool to combat the persistent crime of human trafficking,” she said. ***