Indonesian Citizen Held Captive and Assaulted by Illegal Tin Smugglers in Malaysia
The Criminal Investigation Directorate (Dittipidter) of the Indonesian National Police’s Criminal Investigation Agency (Bareskrim Polri) is investigating allegations of illegal tin smuggling after receiving reports of the confinement and assault of an Indonesian citizen in Malaysia.
Brigadier General Mohammad Irhamni, Director of Tipidter Bareskrim Polri, is coordinating with the Indonesian National Police’s International Relations Division and the Police Attaché at the Indonesian Embassy (KBRI) in Malaysia to handle the case. “Dittipidter is currently coordinating rescue and evacuation efforts with the International Relations Division and the Police Attaché of the Indonesian Embassy in Malaysia,” Irhamni stated on Monday (18/5/2026).
The victim, who holds an Indonesian passport and hails from Prabumulih, South Sumatra, reportedly suffered a broken leg and injuries to his hands and head due to violence inflicted by the illegal tin smugglers. The victim was located in a house in the Pantai Sepang Putra area, Tanjong Sepat, Selangor, Malaysia.
Following jurisdictional checks, the handling of the case was transferred to the Sepang District Police, which subsequently requested the Sungai Pelek Police Station to carry out rescue operations. At 11:18 PM Malaysian time, the victim was successfully evacuated from a location suspected to be a homestay occupied by several individuals.
According to initial statements provided to officers, the victim claimed he was coerced into transporting tin from Indonesia after being enticed to travel to Malaysia. “Upon arriving in Malaysia, the victim subsequently suffered physical assault,” Irhamni revealed.
Irhamni emphasised that Bareskrim Polri will investigate all parties suspected of involvement in the case. “We will investigate those suspected of involvement in the crimes of assault, attempted murder, and illegal tin smuggling,” he asserted. Currently, the Indonesian Police Attaché in Kuala Lumpur continues to coordinate with Malaysian authorities regarding legal proceedings and further actions concerning the victim and the suspected illegal tin smuggling network.