Abdul Kadir Karding, the Minister of Protection for Indonesian Migrant Workers, recently revealed that about 80,000 Indonesian citizens are engaged in illegal activities such as online gambling and telecommunications fraud in Cambodia, which has raised serious concerns within the Indonesian government.
Karding pointed out that in the past, Indonesian migrant workers mainly went to Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, Hong Kong China, and Taiwan region to engage in legal industries such as domestic and construction work. However, a new trend has emerged in recent years—more and more Indonesians are going to Southeast Asian countries like Cambodia and Myanmar, only to find themselves trapped in illegal online gambling and fraud industries.
The issue of illegal labor is severe, and the government is taking action to rectify it
To curb this trend, the Ministry of Protection for Indonesian Migrant Workers has implemented several measures, including shutting down unlicensed labor agencies. Karding disclosed: "We have temporarily closed three non-compliant agencies, and strengthened border control to prevent more citizens from being lured abroad into illegal work."
Why has Cambodia become a hotbed for fraud?
Analyses indicate that in recent years, due to lax regulation, Cambodia has become a gathering place for online gambling and fraud gangs. Criminal groups use "high-paying jobs" as bait to lure foreign workers into illegal activities, even restricting personal freedom, creating a modern slavery issue.
The Indonesian government is cooperating with the Cambodian authorities, hoping to rescue trapped citizens and combat criminal networks. Karding emphasized: "Protecting the rights and interests of overseas workers is our top priority, and we will continue to intensify law enforcement efforts."
This phenomenon also reflects the increasingly severe problem of transnational crime in Southeast Asia, urgently requiring a joint response from regional countries.
