REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- The Indonesian consulate general in Johor Bahru, in cooperation with the immigration office and the women's protection house in the Malaysian city, repatriated 13 Indonesian citizens who fell victim to human trafficking.

The 13 repatriated women hailed from the Indonesian districts of Kudus, Sumedang, Malang, Subang and Cianjur, the consulate general said in a press statement released on Tuesday (6/1).

All the Indonesian citizens were handed over to the Women Empowerment and Child Protection Board (BPPA) of Riau Islands province in Tanjung Pinang on January 6 to facilitate further processes, the consulate general affirmed.

According to the press statement, the Indonesian citizens, who had only short visit visas, were employed as cleaning service officers in Malacca for one to nine months.

The statement further noted that 11 of the 13 victims of human trafficking were handed over by an agent named Ricky of a company called PT Iin Era Sejahtera in Batam, Riau Islands, to Tang, an employer in Malacca who vowed to make arrangements for their work permits.

The victims reported the employer to the Malacca police after they were not paid and did not receive their work permits.

The 13 Indonesian citizens became witnesses in the case against Tang, who was charged with violating certificates of anti-human trafficking and anti-smuggling of migrants (ATIPSOM).

The case was brought to justice at the Malacca Court. During investigation, the court issued a protection order to place the victims in the protection house.

The court ruled that the testimonies of the 13 Indonesian citizens were adequate, so they could return to Indonesia.

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