Pangkalpinang Immigration strengthens village program to prevent human trafficking

The Immigration Office Class I TPI Pangkalpinang in Bangka Belitung Province is reinforcing its "Desa Binaan Imigrasi" (DBI) or "Village Adoption" program and the role of "Petugas Imigrasi Pembina Desa" (Pimpasa) immigration officers in Mantung Village. This strategic effort aims to prevent human trafficking (TPPO) and other immigration-related vulnerabilities in the region.

A direct monitoring was conducted by the Immigration Intelligence and Enforcement Section along with the DBI Team from the Directorate of Immigration Intelligence. Raja Reza Hedianshah, Head of the Immigration Intelligence and Enforcement Section at Kanim Pangkalpinang, emphasized that the activity seeks to assess the effectiveness of the DBI and Pimpasa functions on the ground. "This activity aims to realistically understand the extent of the effectiveness of the DBI and Pimpasa functions in preventing immigration violations," he stated. He added that they aim to foster a mutually beneficial relationship where Mantung Village can act as an extension of immigration, serving as its eyes and ears to gather information at the grassroots level.

Hedianshah stressed that the DBI program functions as an "early warning system" to detect potential legal violations. It is also designed to bridge two-way communication between immigration authorities and villagers, not only for preventing TPPO but also human smuggling (TPPM) and other risks. "The main essence of establishing DBI is to increase public legal awareness through direct socialization and education, both to residents and in educational environments," he explained. The goal is for the community to become more vigilant and proactive in reporting indications of immigration violations in their neighborhoods.

Junaidi, the Village Head of Mantung, welcomed the program's reinforcement. He noted that the DBI and Pimpasa functions are already operating effectively in educating residents about immigration regulations. This is considered crucial given the significant activity of foreign nationals in Mantung Village, which requires extra oversight. "We hope that the communication and information exchange with Pimpasa can be continuously strengthened, both through remote coordination via telephone and through periodic field visits to provide direct education to the community," Junaidi said.