TABANAN, DEWATA.NEWS – Two Bangladeshi nationals were handed over to immigration authorities after spending four days stranded in Kediri District, Tabanan, allegedly as victims of a labor scam promising jobs in Australia.
Head of Tabanan Public Order Agency (Satpol PP), I Gede Sukanada, said on Sunday (February 15) that the two individuals, identified by the initials MM and MFH, were temporarily placed under Satpol PP supervision after being referred by Kediri Police on Monday evening (January 13) at around 20:39 WITA.
According to information obtained by authorities, the two men initially met an individual named Andi in Malaysia. They were promised employment opportunities in Australia. However, instead of being sent abroad, they were taken to Pekanbaru, where they were allegedly confined.
“All their documents were held by the suspected perpetrator. After their money ran out, they were put on a bus to Bali with the excuse that departure to Australia would be easier from here. Upon arriving in Kediri, the perpetrator pretended to go to the toilet and abandoned them,” Sukanada explained.
Without financial resources or clear information, the two men reportedly stayed at a mosque in Kediri for about four days before being discovered by police officers.
During their confinement in Pekanbaru, the victims were allegedly asked to pay up to 50,000 Malaysian ringgit each as a condition for being deployed to work. The promised job placement never materialized.
Sukanada said both individuals expressed a wish to return to their home country as soon as possible. Local authorities coordinated with the Tabanan National and Political Unity Agency (Kesbangpol) and immigration officials to facilitate further handling.
“Both individuals have been officially handed over. Further handling is now under the authority of immigration,” he stated.
In a separate operation, the Tabanan Satpol PP team also conducted a public order enforcement action against a group of street buskers in Banjar Keridan, Senganan Village, who were reported to be causing public disturbance. The individuals were brought to the office for data collection and guidance and were required to sign a written statement agreeing not to repeat busking activities in Tabanan Regency.
According to Sukanada, these measures are part of broader efforts to maintain public order and ensure that public spaces remain safe and comfortable for residents and visitors.