NUSA TENGGARA TIMUR | INDATANEWS.COM - The Class II Immigration Office of TPI Labuan Bajo on Monday, August 3, 2026, handed over motorized vehicles as operational support to five assisted immigration villages in Manggarai Regency, Nusa Tenggara Timur. The provision of these service vehicles is considered a strategic step to expand the reach of immigration services while strengthening prevention efforts against human trafficking (TPPO) and migrant smuggling (TPPM).
The vehicle handover ceremony was held in Ruteng and was accompanied by an information session titled "Strengthening the Role of Assisted Immigration Villages as the Front Line in Preventing Human Trafficking (TPPO) and Migrant Smuggling (TPPM)."
The event was attended by Manggarai Regent Herybertus G.L. Nabit, Head of the Regional Office of the Directorate General of Immigration in Nusa Tenggara Timur Saroha Manullang, representatives from the Regional Leadership Coordination Forum (Forkopimda), village heads, and students.
The donated operational vehicles are expected to improve the mobility of village administrations, particularly in providing public services for residents living in remote areas with limited transportation access.
The Head of the Regional Office of the Directorate General of Immigration in Nusa Tenggara Timur, Saroha Manullang, said the program reflects the government's commitment to improving immigration services and protecting communities. He stated that the vehicle assistance program for assisted immigration villages is the first initiative of its kind in Indonesia.
"These vehicles will become important tools for village administrations to disseminate immigration-related information, collect citizen data, and coordinate when issues arise that require immediate action," Saroha said.
Operational Vehicles Support Human Trafficking Prevention
The Head of the Class II Immigration Office of TPI Labuan Bajo, Charles Christian Mathaus, explained that the operational vehicles would help village administrations deliver information more quickly regarding safe and legal procedures for working abroad.
According to Charles, village administrations play a crucial role in educating communities about travel document requirements, official labor placement procedures, and the risks associated with irregular migration.
"With improved mobility, early detection of potential illegal labor recruitment activities can be carried out more effectively," Charles stated.
He added that the Class II Immigration Office of TPI Labuan Bajo continues to develop various service innovations to improve the effectiveness of immigration supervision. One of the innovations includes checking travel documents of cruise tourists while still at sea, allowing faster processing without compromising inspection procedures.
The assisted immigration village program is one of the government's initiatives to encourage community participation in preventing violations of immigration regulations, including human trafficking and migrant smuggling.
Through the active involvement of village administrations, communities are expected to receive reliable information about safe migration procedures and avoid being trapped in illegal recruitment networks that may cause serious harm.
STRENGTHENING IMMIGRATION SERVICES: Head of the Regional Office of the Directorate General of Immigration in Nusa Tenggara Timur, Saroha Manullang, explains that the operational vehicles will strengthen
immigration services and village administration coordination in addressing community issues. (PHOTO: Doc. Class II Immigration Office of TPI Labuan Bajo)
Manggarai Government Strengthens Labor Migration Oversight
Manggarai Regent Herybertus G.L. Nabit welcomed the handover of the operational vehicles. He expressed hope that the vehicles would be utilized optimally to support public services.
He emphasized that village administrations hold an important position in monitoring the social and economic conditions of communities, including providing information and assistance to residents who plan to work abroad.
"Village administrations must continue monitoring the social and economic conditions of the community and ensure that information and assistance are provided in a targeted manner," Herybertus stressed.
Herybertus also appreciated government efforts to strengthen oversight of the recruitment process for prospective migrant workers. He considered cooperation between regional governments, law enforcement agencies, and communities as a key factor in preventing human trafficking.
The Head of the Regional Office of the Directorate General of Immigration in Nusa Tenggara Timur also expressed appreciation for the collaboration between regional governments, police, prosecutors, and communities, which has supported the implementation of the assisted immigration village program.
ACCELERATING MIGRATION EDUCATION: Head of the Class II Immigration Office of TPI Labuan Bajo, Charles Christian Mathaus, emphasizes that the operational vehicles will support safe migration education and early detection of illegal labor recruitment. (PHOTO: Doc. Class II Immigration Office of TPI Labuan Bajo)
Information Campaign Promotes Safe Migration Awareness
Following the vehicle handover, the Class II Immigration Office of TPI Labuan Bajo conducted an information session featuring several speakers. The topics discussed included the role of assisted immigration villages, proper procedures for overseas employment, and the importance of protecting migrant workers.
The activity aligns with the efforts of the Ministry of Immigration and Corrections to strengthen cooperation between central and regional governments in addressing various challenges, including limited human resources and budget constraints in delivering public services.
The assisted immigration village program, which has been implemented in various regions across Indonesia, is considered a strategic instrument to improve public understanding of immigration documents and prevent human trafficking.
Going forward, the Class II Immigration Office of TPI Labuan Bajo will continue expanding cooperation with assisted villages to ensure sustainable implementation of the program and deliver direct benefits to communities.
With support from the operational vehicles, assisted immigration villages in Manggarai Regency are expected to play a more active role as centers for information dissemination, public education, and village-level monitoring.
The public is also encouraged to immediately report suspicious activities involving the recruitment of workers without official documentation to village administrations or relevant authorities. Swift action is considered essential to prevent citizens from becoming victims of human trafficking or migrant smuggling.
(IDNC)REPORTER: Ahmad Zulfikar | EDITOR: Fik Sagala