Identification process for KM Arupadatu crew member faced difficulties
Tangerang (ANTARA) - The Banten Regional Police (Polda Banten) have revealed that the DNA matching process between antemortem samples and the body found on Enggano Island, Bengkula, faced several obstacles. The deceased has been identified as Surakman (60), a crew member of KM Arupadatu I.
Banten Regional Police Chief, Inspector General Hengki, explained that the identification process took time because the physical condition of the body had deteriorated due to being submerged in water for an extended period. “The DNA examination faced many hurdles. For example, facial features were no longer recognisable because of the time spent at the bottom of the sea,” Hengki stated during an online press conference in Tangerang on Wednesday.
He explained that the body was first discovered by local residents on Enggano Island on 12 September 2026, approximately five days after the search operation for a group of journalists who lost contact in the Sunda Strait waters, Pandeglang, Banten, began on Monday (7/9).
The discovery was immediately coordinated with the Bengkulu Regional Police, and identification was carried out at Bhayangkara Hospital for further handling. Because the physical condition made visual recognition difficult, the police medical team (Dokkes) relied on DNA testing methods, comparing samples with those provided by the family.
According to the results from the DNA Laboratory Division of the Indonesian National Police (Dokkes Polri) on 21 September 2026, the DNA samples from the body were declared identical to the crew member of KM Arupadatu I and matched as the biological father of the victim’s son.
“We took samples from the victim’s family’s antemortem records and matched them with the found body. The DNA examination results declared it identical to Mr Surakman and the biological father of Mr Niyayat,” he said.
In addition to the accurate DNA results, the family also recognised certain clothing attributes, specifically black shorts, which the victim was last seen wearing when departing to transport the group of journalists towards Mount Anak Krakatau for reporting purposes.
“The police have been coordinating intensively with the victim’s family. The victim’s son was brought directly by the District Police Chief to accompany the process of handing over the body,” he added.
The Banten Regional Police Chief emphasised that the integrated team remains on standby to continue the search and handling of other victims who have not yet been found. “Polda Banten expresses its appreciation to the community and fishermen who helped provide information regarding the discovery of the body,” he said.
Previously, the Joint SAR team had conducted search operations for up to 10 days without positive results. There were eight people being searched for in the operation, consisting of five journalists—M Bagus Khoirunas (ANTARA News), Ari Basuki (Merdeka.com), Yudhistiro (iNews), Firdaus (Anadolu), and Donal (freelance journalist)—and three others: Warta (ship captain), Surakman (crew member), and Heriyanto (guide). They were reported missing after losing contact on Monday (7/9) at 14:00 WIB.