Indonesian Navy Intercepts Speed Boat Carrying Undocumented Migrants

By Mohd Iswandi Kasan Anuar

JAKARTA, Aug 20 (Bernama) -- The Indonesian Navy has intercepted a speed boat carrying undocumented Indonesian migrant workers and a Malaysian national in Tanjung Balai Karimun regency, Riau Island on Aug 18.

The operation took place in the evening near Pelambung in Tebing district at around 7.30 pm local time, according to Commander of the Tanjung Balai Karimun Naval Base, Lieutenant Colonel Anro Casanova.

“Our Fleet One Quick Response Team detected the speed boat operating without navigation lights, and a subsequent chase led to the interception of the speed boat and its occupants,” he said in a statement today.

On board, its personnel discovered six people, including two suspected crew members – the captain and the boat owner – three individuals believed to be undocumented migrant workers, and one Malaysian national.

They seized several items, including the speed boat, three Indonesian passports, a Malaysian constriction Industry Development Board Card, a Malaysian identity card, four additional identity cards, six mobile phones, five bags, 430,000 rupiah in cash and an unspecified amount of Malaysian currency.

Anro stated that the detainees and the seized items have been handed over to the Karimun Immigration Office and the Indonesian Migrant Worker Protection Agency (BP2MI) for further investigation.

In a related development, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Muhammad Ali has called on all navy personnel to increase vigilance and address illegal activities in Indonesian waters, emphasising the importance of collaboration with relevant agencies.

-- BERNAMA