(INDONESIA)
Union of Catholic Asian News (UCA News) [Hong Kong]
February 24, 2026
By UCAN reporter
Church advocates fear move could affect ongoing police investigation into alleged abuse at Maumere nightclub
An Indonesian governor has personally escorted alleged trafficking victims rescued by Catholic nuns from a nightclub in eastern Indonesia back to their home province.
West Java Gov. Dedi Mulyadi visited the Humanitarian Volunteer Team for Flores (TRUK-F), a Catholic Church-backed advocacy coalition based in Sikka Regency on Flores Island in East Nusa Tenggara province, on Feb. 23.
There he collected 12 victims and flew back with them to West Java — where most of them are from — later the same day.
Before leaving, Mulyadi said he would facilitate their continued legal proceedings in the case being handled by the Sikka Regency police.
“They’re going back to their hometowns today. They’ll be back and forth, and we’ll help them,” he said.
Holy Spirit Sister Maria Fransiska Imakulata, chairwoman of TRUK-F, said she was surprised because Mulyadi had previously described the trip as a visit.
“It turns out there was already a definite plan to pick up the victims,” she said.
She expressed concern that the move could hinder the legal process because police have not yet named a suspect and still require the women’s testimony for further investigation.
However, she said Mulyadi and his attorney signed a written statement during the meeting committing to facilitate the women’s attendance at police summonses.
Local police rescued 13 women from Eltras Pub, a nightclub in Maumere, in January following advocacy efforts by TRUK-F and its partners.
All but one of the women are from West Java and are between 17 and 26 years old. Several were reportedly 15 when first recruited.
They were allegedly lured with promises of lucrative jobs but instead faced abuse, including sexual violence and forced abortions, the coalition said.
They were also allegedly paid only one million rupiah (US$60) per month instead of the promised 9 million rupiah, and did not receive free accommodation, clothing, and beauty products.
On Feb. 24, Sikka police formally named the nightclub’s owner Andi Wonasoba, and his wife as suspects in the case.
Divine Word Father Otto Gusti Madung, rector of Ledalero Institute of Philosophy and Creative Technology, said this legal process is crucial because “many pubs” in Maumere are suspected of operating under similar practices.
“I hope law enforcement will work seriously and name suspects on the grounds of human trafficking, sexual violence, and the employment of underage children,” he told UCA News.
Madung, who participated in the meeting with Mulyadi, said he initially disagreed with repatriating the women because it could disrupt the investigation.
“But he has made a written statement that he is ready to facilitate the victims’ return to Maumere for the legal process,” he said.
According to Indonesia’s National Human Rights Commission, East Nusa Tenggara remains a trafficking hub due to persistent poverty and limited employment opportunities.
Provincial police recorded 256 trafficking cases in 2023, though rights groups say the actual figure is likely much higher because many cases go unreported.
Last year, a parliamentarian accused of smuggling dozens of workers illegally from the province to East Kalimantan for a palm oil plantation was jailed following the death of a worker due to abusive treatment.