Indonesia urgently warns against increasing human trafficking

JAKARTA: Indonesia has expressed concern about a rising number of human trafficking victims in Southeast Asia, especially those forced into online scams, warning that the trend could hinder regional growth.

At the 28th ASEAN Political Security Community Council meeting held in Vientiane, Laos on Tuesday, Coordinating Minister of Political, Legal and Security Affairs Hadi Tjahjanto emphasized the urgent need for closer cooperation among ASEAN countries to effectively combat human trafficking.

“If this issue is not taken seriously, Southeast Asia risks becoming the ‘epicenter of fraud’ rather than a center of growth,” he warned.

Hadi called for immediate attention to ASEAN leaders’ statements on combating human trafficking, especially those arising from misuse of technology.

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While ASEAN has concluded agreements on law enforcement cooperation, including ASEAN Mutual Legal Assistance, he urged that the ASEAN Extradition Treaty be finalized quickly to strengthen efforts against transnational crime in the region.

During the meeting, Hadi commended member states for implementing nearly 100 percent of the ASEAN Community Blueprint 2025, according to a ministry statement.

He expressed hope that the ASEAN Vision 2045 would be achieved quickly to equip the region for future challenges.

His delegation also stressed the importance of restraint in the South China Sea to avoid escalating tensions that could lead to open conflict.

The Republic calls for the urgent finalization of a Code of Conduct for the South China Sea as a means of maintaining peace, while calling for strengthened maritime security through the ASEAN Maritime Forum (AMF) and the Expanded AMF.