Maumere, Vox NTT – The Advocacy for Justice and Peace (Padma) Indonesia strongly criticizes the decision of the Maumere District Court regarding the sentence for DPRD Sikka member Yuvinus Solo, also known as Joker, who was involved in a human trafficking case.
In the trial held on Monday, December 9, 2024, the Maumere District Court sentenced Joker to 3 years in prison and a fine of Rp200 million.
Previously, the Public Prosecutor’s Office (JPU) had demanded a 9-year prison sentence, a fine of Rp200 million, and restitution of Rp155 million for the victim, under Article 2 Paragraph (1) of Law No. 21 of 2007 on the Eradication of Human Trafficking in conjunction with Article 55 Paragraph (1) point 1 of the Criminal Code.
However, the panel of judges, chaired by Nithanael Nasyum Ndaumanu, along with judges Mira Herawaty and Widyastomo Isworo, decided to use the Labor Law.
Joker was found guilty under Article 186 Paragraph (1) in conjunction with Article 35 Paragraphs (2) and (3) of Law No. 13 of 2003 on Labor in conjunction with Article 55 Paragraph (1) point 1 of the Criminal Code.
Gabriel Goa, the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Padma Indonesia, expressed his surprise at the panel’s decision.
According to Gabriel, this decision circumvents the legal process of the human trafficking case that was processed by the Sikka Police and prosecuted by the Sikka District Public Prosecutor’s Office.
“Padma Indonesia urges the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court to dismiss and prosecute the panel of judges at the Maumere District Court for a sentence that does not align with the JPU’s demand for the human trafficking case,” Gabriel stated in a press release on Thursday, April 3, 2025.
Gabriel also urged the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Indonesia, the Head of the Judicial Commission, and the Judicial Commission of Indonesia to summon, investigate, and prosecute the judges of the Maumere District Court.
According to Gabriel, the decision disregards the JPU’s demand from the Sikka District Public Prosecutor’s Office.
Additionally, Gabriel urged the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) of Indonesia to thoroughly investigate and prosecute the strong suspicion of criminal corruption at the Maumere District Court.
“East Nusa Tenggara is a hotspot for illegal migration and is vulnerable to human trafficking. President Jokowi and the National Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM) have declared the province of NTT to be in a state of emergency for human trafficking,” Gabriel emphasized. [VoN]