The Regional Office of the Directorate General of Immigration of Banten and the Banten Regional Police have officially established a strategic cooperation to strengthen the region’s defenses against the threats of Human Trafficking Crimes and Human Smuggling Crimes.

This operational step was marked by the signing of a Cooperation Agreement at the Banten Regional Police Headquarters.

This agreement, titled “Optimizing Collaboration in the Mentored Village Program,” is a direct follow-up to a Memorandum of Understanding signed by the National Police Chief and the Minister of Immigration and Penitentiaries of the Republic of Indonesia in Jakarta.

It was explained that this cooperation is an escalation of the national commitment realized through concrete actions at the regional level.

The vital role of prevention programs at the grassroots level was emphasized.

“This collaborative Mentored Village Program is a strategic instrument for implementing the scope of the MoU, particularly concerning the prevention of cross-border crime and data exchange. Through the mentored villages, we are building the front line of defense against the threats of Human Trafficking and Human Smuggling,” it was stated.

Echoing this sentiment, it was affirmed that this collaboration is a necessity in cross-border law enforcement.

“This Cooperation Agreement will serve as a working guideline that focuses not only on enforcement but also on prevention aspects, human resource capacity building, and the shared use of facilities and infrastructure, which is believed will significantly enhance the effectiveness of combating Human Trafficking and Human Smuggling in Banten,” it was added.

The scope of cooperation in this agreement is very broad, encompassing six main pillars referring to the central-level memorandum of understanding:

  1. Exchange and utilization of data and/or information.
  2. Prevention and law enforcement of cross-border crimes.
  3. Coordination, supervision, and development of Special Police and Civil Servant Investigators.
  4. Security assistance.
  5. Capacity building and utilization of human resources.
  6. Utilization of shared facilities and infrastructure.

Through this partnership, the Immigration Mentored Village Program is now jointly optimized as an early warning effort to protect the community in Banten Province from the traps of Human Trafficking and Human Smuggling.

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Banten

Banten is a province on the island of Java, Indonesia, historically significant as the location of the Banten Sultanate, a powerful Islamic kingdom and a major trading port from the 16th to 19th centuries. Its historical importance is reflected in ruins such as the Grand Mosque of Banten and the Dutch Fort Speelwijk, which attest to its past as a center of commerce and culture.

Banten Regional Police

The Banten Regional Police is a law enforcement agency in Indonesia’s Banten province, established following the province’s formation in 2000. It is responsible for maintaining security and public order within the region, operating under the national Indonesian National Police force.

Directorate General of Immigration of Banten

The Directorate General of Immigration of Banten is a regional government office responsible for managing immigration services, such as passports and visas, for the Banten province in Indonesia. It operates under the national Directorate General of Immigration, a body whose modern form was established to control the movement of people in and out of the country. As a local branch, its history is tied to the broader development of Indonesia’s national immigration policies and administrative structure.

National Police Chief

A “National Police Chief” is not a specific place or cultural site, but a high-ranking official title. The role exists in many countries, typically as the head of a national law enforcement agency, with its history and powers defined by that nation’s government and legal system. For instance, the position in Thailand has a long history dating back to the formation of the Royal Thai Police in the 19th century.

Minister of Immigration and Penitentiaries

The “Minister of Immigration and Penitentiaries” was a historical government position in Canada, established in the early 20th century. It was notably held by individuals like William James Roche, who oversaw restrictive immigration policies, including the continuous journey regulation that blocked Indian immigrants in 1914. The role exemplified the era’s approach of linking immigration control with the penal system.

Republic of Indonesia

The Republic of Indonesia is a Southeast Asian archipelago of over 17,000 islands, with a history of powerful Hindu-Buddhist empires and sultanates that were later colonized by the Dutch. It proclaimed its independence in 1945 after centuries of colonial rule, establishing a unified republic with immense cultural and linguistic diversity. Today, it is the world’s fourth most populous country and the largest Muslim-majority nation.

Jakarta

Jakarta is the sprawling capital and largest city of Indonesia, located on the northwest coast of Java. Historically known as Sunda Kelapa and later Batavia under Dutch colonial rule, it served as the hub for the spice trade. Today, it functions as the nation’s political, economic, and cultural center, characterized by its modern skyscrapers, dense population, and significant traffic congestion.

Immigration Mentored Village Program

The Immigration Mentored Village Program is a modern initiative designed to support new immigrants by connecting them with established community members for guidance and resources. It functions as a transitional support system, helping newcomers navigate housing, employment, and cultural integration. Unlike a historical site, it represents a contemporary, community-based approach to fostering successful immigration.