Foreign National Turtle Hunter in Raja Ampat Faces Potential Criminal Charges

The Directorate General of Immigration is opening the possibility of pursuing criminal charges against a foreign national, identified by the initials WS, who is suspected of hunting turtles in the waters of Raja Ampat, Southwest Papua, rather than merely imposing immigration administrative sanctions.

The Director General of Immigration, Hendarsam Marantoko, stated that his office is coordinating with the police to determine the legal construction for handling the case. “We will coordinate with the Director of Surveillance and Enforcement to consult with the police to find the appropriate formulation. In principle, we will assess it, but it appears it should enter the criminal realm,” said Hendram Marantoko.

He added that the handling of the case will consider both immigration criminal provisions and regulations regarding the conservation of biological natural resources and their ecosystems.

Hendarsam noted that Immigration had previously placed the foreign national on a ‘subject of interest’ list, allowing his movements to be monitored through the immigration system. WS was subsequently detained by immigration officers at Sultan Hasanuddin International Airport in Makassar, South Sulawesi, on Monday, 14 September, while attempting to fly to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

“We placed the individual on the subject of interest list and monitored his movements through our SPPI application. When this person attempted to fly out of Makassar, Makassar Immigration officials detained him and brought him to the Sorong Immigration Office for investigation,” he said.

WS was later taken to Sorong, Southwest Papua, to undergo further examination regarding the alleged hunting of protected wildlife in Raja Ampat waters. According to immigration data, WS entered Indonesia using a Visa on Arrival (VoA) for tourism purposes.

WS, identified as Wei Shang, holds a membership card from AIDA International, an international organisation specialising in freediving. In the membership records, WS is listed as an instructor trainer with a validity period extending to 2025.

The case surfaced after a video circulated on social media showing a diver performing spearfishing—using a fish spear—targeting what is suspected to be a turtle in the waters of Raja Ampat. The police have previously stated they are still investigating the alleged criminal acts of hunting and killing protected wildlife.