Indonesian Navy Secures Object Resembling Missile in Takalar

Makassar (ANTARA) - Police and Indonesian Navy personnel have secured a suspicious object resembling a missile, which has been taken to the VI Makassar Naval Regional Command (Kodaeral) for examination, after it was found by fishermen in the waters of the Tanakeke Islands, Mappasunggu Subdistrict, Takalar Regency, South Sulawesi.

“We cannot conclude yet. But this item resembles the shape of a missile. We do not know exactly what it is. The results of further research regarding this object will be announced by our leadership,” said the Commander of the Takalar Naval Post, Lieutenant Marine Hamzah, in a video statement received on Saturday.

Regarding whether the object resembling a missile is dangerous, he said it cannot be confirmed yet. The object was transported to the VI Makassar Kodaeral headquarters using a Navy truck for further examination.

“Regarding that (whether it can explode), we cannot provide information yet; such information will come from the examination results. We are taking it to Kodaeral to secure it there. Later, the leadership plans to conduct an examination and research,” he said.

Following the discovery of the object, they urged the public that if they find similar items, they should immediately report to the Navy and police, especially foreign objects that are feared to be dangerous and have fatal impacts on the local community.

Mappasunggu Police Sector Chief Ipda Sumarwan added that the discovery followed information from fishermen. It was then followed up and coordinated with the Commander of the TNI AL Post in Takalar to secure it immediately.

The object, he said, is oblong and elongated, more than one metre long, blue in colour, resembling a missile. Nevertheless, they have not confirmed whether it is a missile or not, as it will be examined further by the Navy.

The foreign object was found by fishermen on Tanakeke Island while at sea, then reported to the local police station. The object was evacuated using a boat, then taken to the Mappasunggu Police Station for temporary securing. The object was handed over to Navy personnel, who then transported it by truck to the VI Kodaeral Headquarters in Makassar City.

“The public is advised that if they find foreign objects anywhere, do not tamper with them. Immediately report to the authorities so it can be handled quickly and safely,” he added.