Two girls from Medan who were detained during a raid on a house suspected of being used for human trafficking in Pontianak City are alleged to have been burdened with debts of tens of millions of rupiah to ensure they would still travel abroad. This was revealed in an agreement letter found by the police.
The police discovered an agreement letter detailing the debt payment consequences for the victims’ families if the departure was canceled. The document was found during the raid on a house on Jalan H Kadir, Parit Mayor Village, East Pontianak District, on Monday afternoon.
The head of RT 003/RW 006, Syarif Yakob Alkadrie, said the victims’ parents in Medan reportedly received 5 million rupiah before the two girls were brought to Pontianak.
However, in the agreement letter found by the police, the victims’ families were required to pay 20 million rupiah if the overseas departure did not proceed. “I saw an agreement letter; if these two girls don’t go, their parents have to pay 20 million rupiah,” Yakop said when met at his home.
According to him, the letter shocked the two victims. They were even said to have cried after learning their families were threatened with a large debt burden.
“That’s why these two girls were crying earlier, thinking about their parents,” he said.
Yakop suspects the scheme was used to pressure the victims into still traveling abroad. The two women, aged 25 and 15, from Medan, were allegedly set to be taken to China.
“The information is that these two women were going to be taken to China to be married off,” he said.
During the raid, the police also confiscated several other pieces of evidence, including passports and travel documents. All documents are now secured for investigation purposes.
In addition to the two victims, the police also detained a woman in her 40s suspected of being involved in recruiting and accompanying the victims. Currently, the case is still being investigated by the Pontianak City Police.
The head of the Women and Children Protection Unit of the Pontianak City Police, Ipda Haris Caesaria, could not provide further information, but confirmed that the two victims are being questioned at the Pontianak City Police station.
“They are still under interrogation,” he said briefly.
Medan
Medan is the capital of North Sumatra, Indonesia, and serves as a major economic and cultural hub. Historically, it grew rapidly in the late 19th century as a center for the tobacco and rubber plantations under Dutch colonial rule, attracting diverse ethnic groups like the Batak, Chinese, and Indians. Today, the city is known for its multicultural heritage, landmarks such as the Maimun Palace, and its role as a gateway to nearby attractions like Lake Toba.
Pontianak City
Pontianak is the capital of West Kalimantan, Indonesia, located on the equator and known as the “Equator City.” Its name derives from a local legend about the ghost of a woman who died during childbirth, and the city was established in 1771 by Syarif Abdurrahman Alkadrie, a Malay Sultan who built a palace there. Today, Pontianak is a bustling port city and cultural hub, famous for its landmark Equator Monument and diverse blend of Malay, Chinese, and Dayak traditions.
Jalan H Kadir
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Medan
Medan is the capital of North Sumatra, Indonesia, and serves as a major economic and cultural hub. Historically, it grew rapidly in the late 19th century as a center for the tobacco and rubber trade under Dutch colonial rule, attracting diverse ethnic groups. Today, it is known for its multicultural heritage, reflected in landmarks like the Maimun Palace and the Great Mosque of Medan.
Pontianak City
Pontianak is the capital of West Kalimantan, Indonesia, located on the equator. Founded in 1771 by Syarif Abdurrahman Alkadrie, it began as a trading port and the center of the Pontianak Sultanate. Today, it is known for its multicultural society and landmarks like the Equator Monument, which marks the division between the Northern and Southern Hemispheres.
Jalan H Kadir
Jalan H Kadir is a notable road in Singapore, named after Haji Kadir, a prominent Malay community leader and landowner in the early 20th century. The street is located in the Geylang Serai area, a historic Malay enclave known for its rich cultural heritage and bustling markets. Today, it remains a vibrant part of the neighborhood, reflecting the area’s deep-rooted Malay-Muslim traditions and history.
Parit Mayor Village
Parit Mayor Village is a historic settlement in Perak, Malaysia, named after a local Malay chief or “Mayor” who once governed the area. The village is known for its traditional Malay stilt houses and cultural heritage, reflecting the rural lifestyle of early 20th-century Perak. Today, it serves as a cultural and eco-tourism destination, offering visitors a glimpse into traditional village life and local crafts.
East Pontianak District
East Pontianak District is an administrative area located in Pontianak City, West Kalimantan, Indonesia. Historically, the region developed alongside the growth of Pontianak as a trading hub along the Kapuas River, influenced by the establishment of the Pontianak Sultanate in the late 18th century. Today, it is known for its diverse population and serves as a residential and economic area with a mix of traditional and modern influences.
Maimun Palace
Maimun Palace, also known as Istana Maimun, is a historic royal palace located in Medan, North Sumatra, Indonesia. Built between 1887 and 1891 by the Sultan of Deli, it showcases a unique blend of Malay, Islamic, and European architectural styles. Today, it serves as a museum and cultural landmark, offering visitors a glimpse into the region’s royal heritage.
Lake Toba
Lake Toba, located in North Sumatra, Indonesia, is the largest volcanic lake in the world and the site of a supervolcanic eruption approximately 74,000 years ago—one of the most powerful eruptions in Earth’s history. This massive eruption created a caldera that later filled with water, forming the lake, and is linked to theories of a global volcanic winter. Today, it is a popular tourist destination known for its scenic beauty and the cultural heritage of the Batak people who inhabit the region.
Equator Monument
The Equator Monument, located near Pontianak in West Kalimantan, Indonesia, marks the division between the Northern and Southern Hemispheres along the Earth’s equator. Originally built in 1928 by a Dutch geographer, it was later renovated and expanded to include a modern dome and observation deck, serving as a popular tourist attraction. Visitors can experience natural phenomena such as the absence of shadows during the equinox, highlighting the site’s geographical significance.
