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🇮🇩 Indonesia /Crime & Justice

Indonesia's Child Protection Commission Demands Full Probe into Baby Trafficking Ring

From Tempo · () Indonesian

Translated from Indonesian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources In the courts
  • Indonesia's Child Protection Commission (KPAI) urges a thorough investigation into a human trafficking syndicate that sold 34 babies.
  • KPAI highlighted complex cross-border issues, including document forgery and bureaucratic loopholes, that facilitated the crime.
  • The commission called for stricter oversight of identity document issuance and international cooperation to protect and repatriate the infants.

Indonesia's Child Protection Commission (KPAI) is demanding a comprehensive investigation into a human trafficking syndicate responsible for selling 34 babies, urging law enforcement to pursue the case from origin to destination.

KPAI Chair Ai Maryati Solihah emphasized the intricate nature of this transnational crime, stating that the investigation must address all facets, from the forgery of identity documents to weaknesses in bureaucratic oversight. "It is impossible for dozens of children to move abroad without clear documentation," Ai stated.

Let's address this transnational crime comprehensively, from its upstream, middle, to downstream. Because it is impossible for dozens of children to move abroad without clarity in terms of documentation.

— Ai Maryati SolihahExplaining the need for a thorough investigation into the baby trafficking syndicate.

According to Ai, the perpetrators exploited vulnerabilities in the issuance of identity documents such as family cards, birth certificates, and passports. This practice often involved third parties or brokers who evaded factual verification. KPAI is urging relevant authorities to tighten supervision and evaluation systems for children's identity documents to prevent future exploitation.

There are gaps and weaknesses in this bureaucracy that we must improve, starting from the pattern of applying for documentation and services to obtain children's identities.

— Ai Maryati SolihahHighlighting bureaucratic flaws that enable human trafficking.

Beyond document fraud, KPAI also stressed the importance of investigating the involvement of overseas recipients and buyers through international police cooperation. The commission also called for the protection and repatriation of infants already taken abroad.

The West Java Regional Police are handling the case. When asked about further developments, the Head of Public Relations, Commissioner Hendra Rochmawan, stated that no information was available yet. In a separate development, the Bandung District Court sentenced the alleged ringleader, Lie Siu Luan, to seven years in prison on Tuesday, July 21, 2026. Four accomplices received sentences of six years and seven months, while 14 others involved in harboring, caring for, or acting as surrogate parents were sentenced to three years and four months.

So far, there is no information.

— Hendra RochmawanResponding to inquiries about further developments in the investigation.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Tempo in Indonesian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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