Explained | Tragedi Kematian di Balik Tawaran Kerja ke Kamboja

Summary

A disturbing rise in cases of human trafficking and exploitation (TPPO) in Cambodia has been affecting Indonesian workers. Many victims, often professionals, are lured by false job offers through social media and are coerced into illegal work, including online gambling operations. The tragic death of Saleh Dharmawan, who traveled to Cambodia under false pretenses, highlights the growing problem. The Indonesian government has taken steps to address this issue, including banning workers from traveling to Cambodia, Thailand, and Myanmar. However, ongoing challenges, such as leaks during raids and false promises of employment, make it difficult to protect migrant workers.

Takeaways

• 😀 Hundreds of Indonesian nationals have fallen victim to human trafficking (TPPO) in Cambodia, being forced into roles like online gambling operators and scammers.
• 😀 Saleh Dharmawan's tragic death after arriving in Cambodia in February 2025 highlights the dangers faced by Indonesian workers there.
• 😀 Saleh, who was promised a cooking job in Thailand, was instead sent to Poipet, Cambodia, where he fell ill and passed away just two weeks later.
• 😀 The Indonesian embassy in Phnom Penh handled the repatriation of Saleh's body to Indonesia, but there are conflicting rumors about organ trafficking, which were denied by the family.
• 😀 The Indonesian embassy in Phnom Penh has seen a sharp increase in the number of deaths of Indonesian nationals in Cambodia, with 92 deaths recorded in 2024 alone.
• 😀 The causes of death among these workers range from chronic diseases to traffic accidents and infectious diseases, highlighting the dire conditions they face.
• 😀 There has been a significant rise in the number of Indonesians traveling to Cambodia, with 166,795 recorded in 2024, a dramatic increase from previous years.
• 😀 Many of the deaths involve young, productive-aged individuals, sparking concern over their safety and treatment in Cambodia.
• 😀 The Indonesian Minister for Migrant Workers, Abdul Kadir Karding, has warned against sending workers to Cambodia, Thailand, and Myanmar due to rampant human trafficking issues.
• 😀 Despite efforts to combat human trafficking, illegal recruitment networks and leaks of raid information make it difficult to eradicate these practices effectively.

Q & A

What is the primary issue highlighted in the transcript regarding Indonesian citizens in Cambodia?

The primary issue is the increasing number of Indonesian citizens (WNI) falling victim to human trafficking (TPPO) in Cambodia, where many are forced into illegal activities such as online gambling operations and online scamming.

What happened to Saleh Dharmawan, and how did his death become a point of concern?

Saleh Dharmawan, an Indonesian citizen, traveled to Cambodia in February 2025 for a job offer that promised work as a cook in Thailand. However, upon arrival, he was reported to be gravely ill and passed away shortly after. His death raised concerns and speculations about potential organ trafficking, though these claims were later debunked.

What was the official cause of death for Saleh Dharmawan?

The official cause of Saleh Dharmawan's death has not been specified in the transcript, but it was mentioned that there were no signs of injury or surgical scars, ruling out the possibility of organ trafficking. His death was attributed to illness, although no clear medical report was provided.

What trend has been observed in the number of Indonesian citizens dying in Cambodia?

There has been a significant increase in the number of Indonesian citizens dying in Cambodia, with 92 deaths recorded in 2024 alone. The causes of death include chronic diseases, infections like tuberculosis and HIV, accidents, and sudden deaths, often among young, productive individuals.

Why has the number of Indonesian citizens traveling to Cambodia surged in recent years?

The number of Indonesian citizens traveling to Cambodia has surged due to the promise of job opportunities, particularly in sectors like online gambling and scams. In 2024, the number of Indonesian citizens entering Cambodia increased sharply to 166,795, compared to just 14,564 in 2020.

What measures have been taken by the Indonesian government in response to human trafficking issues in Cambodia?

The Indonesian government, through Minister of Migrant Worker Protection Abdul Kadir Karding, has banned Indonesian citizens from working in Cambodia, Thailand, and Myanmar due to the rising number of trafficking victims. Efforts are being made to study the potential for formal recruitment while ensuring protection for migrant workers.

What role do social media and unofficial recruitment channels play in the trafficking of Indonesian workers to Cambodia?

Social media plays a major role in attracting individuals to Cambodia through fraudulent job offers. Many victims are lured by promises of legitimate employment but are instead trafficked and forced into illegal activities, such as online gambling operations.

How do the trafficked Indonesian workers typically enter Cambodia?

Most Indonesian workers who fall victim to trafficking enter Cambodia via tourist visas. They often first travel to Thailand and then are transported to Cambodia, where the nature of their work is vastly different from what they were initially promised.

What challenges do authorities face in combating human trafficking and protecting Indonesian workers in Cambodia?

One major challenge is the leak of information regarding raids on illegal migrant worker camps. Karding suspects that the leaks may come from within the ministry itself, making it difficult to effectively combat trafficking networks and rescue victims.

Can the Indonesian government effectively solve the problem of human trafficking in Cambodia?

While the Indonesian government has taken steps to address human trafficking by issuing travel bans and improving worker protection measures, the problem remains difficult to tackle due to the illegal nature of recruitment channels and the complexity of the trafficking networks.