PELAKITA.ID – Denpasar, December 18, 2025 — The Advocacy Team for the Protection of Fisheries Workers (TANGKAP) has urged relevant law enforcement authorities to fully uncover and thoroughly investigate the alleged human trafficking case involving at least 21 prospective fishing crew members aboard the vessel KM Awindo 2A at Benoa Port, Bali.
The case was formally reported to the Bali Regional Police (Polda Bali) on August 23, 2025, and registered under Police Report Receipt Number STTLP/591/VIII/2025/SPKT/POLDA BALI.
During the course of legal assistance, the advocacy team identified a number of critical issues that, to date, have not been fully followed up by law enforcement authorities.
Case Chronology
The case dates back to early August 2025, when the prospective crew members were recruited from Java and Sumatra through Facebook by labor brokers. The victims were promised employment on collecting vessels or seafood processing units. In reality, however, all of them were placed on fishing vessels.
They were promised an advance payment of IDR 5,000,000, but this amount was unilaterally deducted under the pretext of a “release fee,” leaving them with only IDR 2,500,000. In addition, the victims were required to pay an extra IDR 2,500,000, a cost that had never been explained during the job offer process. This sequence of events demonstrates systematic manipulation and deception used to lure the victims.
The victims were first taken to a dormitory in Pekalongan and later transported by land to Bali along with other prospective crew members. Upon arrival in Bali, they were placed aboard KM Awindo 2A, where they were subjected to inspections by personnel of the Bali Water and Air Police Unit (Polairud), who arrived together with the labor brokers.
While on board the vessel, the victims were forced to perform various tasks without a valid employment contract, without adequate food provisions, and under restricted communication.
They were also pressured into signing a Seafarers’ Employment Agreement (SEA) whose contents did not match the promises made during recruitment. On August 15, 2025, following a subsequent inspection by the Bali Regional Police, the prospective crew members chose to be evacuated after realizing they had become victims of human trafficking.
Legal Process and Case Developments
On August 23, 2025, all 21 victims formally reported the alleged human trafficking offense to the Bali Regional Police’s Integrated Police Service Center (SPKT).
After the completion of examinations and assessments, the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, with facilitation from the International Organization for Migration (IOM), repatriated all victims to their respective home regions on September 1, 2025.
Developments in the case were first made public through a press conference held by TANGKAP on September 8, 2025. Advocacy efforts continued with an audience meeting with the Chair of the Bali Provincial Parliament (DPRD) on September 15, 2025, resulting in a commitment to hold a hearing with the Bali Police Chief and a recommendation that the case be prioritized by the Bali Provincial Government.
On October 9, 2025, the Bali Regional Police named six suspects: R, MAS, and TS (labor brokers); IPS, a member of the Bali Water Police; JS, the captain of KM Awindo 2A; and I, the Director of PT Awindo International.
However, another reported individual from the company, also identified by the initial R, has yet to be named as a suspect.
In addition, based on field findings by the advocacy team and media investigations, there are allegations of involvement by another Water Police officer, identified as K, who is suspected of being part of the trafficking network. This information also points to the possibility of additional criminal offenses committed by suspect IPS together with K.
TANGKAP’s Critical Assessment
TANGKAP views the KM Awindo 2A human trafficking case as a clear reflection of systemic failure by the state to prevent, detect, and respond to human trafficking practices within the fisheries sector.
The case exposes significant gaps in oversight from recruitment through placement of fishing crew members, creating space for forced labor and modern-day slavery in Indonesian waters.
On this basis, TANGKAP urges:
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Comprehensive, transparent, and impartial law enforcement against all parties involved, including agents, brokers, companies, and Water Police personnel. Financial flows, network structures, and intellectual masterminds must be thoroughly investigated.
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Comprehensive protection for victims, including access to legal aid, witness and victim protection, social and psychological assistance, and recovery through rehabilitation, restitution, compensation, and socio-economic reintegration.
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Strengthened cross-sectoral supervision involving labor offices, marine and fisheries authorities, transportation agencies, and port-based law enforcement.
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Fundamental reform of the fishing crew recruitment system, ensuring clear, transparent employment contracts that respect the rights of fisheries workers.
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Strict accountability of law enforcement personnel, through both ethical and criminal mechanisms, for any individuals proven to be involved or complicit.
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Application of corporate criminal liability against PT Awindo International if proven to be involved in human trafficking practices.
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The formulation of regional regulations by the Bali Provincial Government specifically addressing the protection of fisheries workers, aimed at closing legal loopholes exploited by perpetrators.
TANGKAP emphasized that the state must be fully present in ensuring the fulfillment of victims’ rights and the enforcement of fair and comprehensive justice.
“The KM Awindo 2A case must serve as a turning point for reforming Indonesia’s fisheries worker protection system,” the advocacy team stated.
Media Contact:
Advocacy Team for the Protection of Fisheries Workers (TANGKAP)
– Siti Wahyatun (DFW Indonesia)
– I Gede Andi Winaba
📞 +62 822-3694-4930
📍 Secretariat: Jl. Intan LC II Gg. VIII No. 1, Tonja Village, North Denpasar District, Denpasar City, Bali 80239
📧 Email: lbhbali@ylbhi.or.id