Boat people cast ashore in Kalimantan

JAKARTA (JP): Some 51 people believed to have come from Vietnam have been cast ashore at the Kumai port city, Kotawaringin Barat regency in Central Kalimantan after their boat ran out of fuel.

It was not immediately clear where the boat was heading, but its passengers have requested food and fuel to allow them to continue their journey, the Antara news agency reported yesterday.

The 51 people on board the 20 by six-meter wooden boat consisted of 30 adults and 21 children.

Police and port authorities are investigating the case, and have barred the passengers from disembarking because they lack travel documents.

The boat people at first requested help from local residents, promising that they would set sail as soon as they received the supplies they needed.

Many similar boats from Vietnam, China or Cambodia have washed onto Indonesian shores in recent years as the boat people attempted to sail for Australia. (prs)