JP/4/SHIP

JP/4/SHIP

Navy ready to sink boats of smugglers

The Jakarta Post
Jakarta

The Indonesian Navy has deployed three warships with some 90
personnel on board to tackle smuggling in Karimun waters in Riau
near Singapore and Malaysia.

Karimun Naval Base commander Maj. Purwanto said on Saturday
that his troops were ready to sink any vessel involved in
smuggling.

"Currently, we are monitoring some vessels carrying logs,
which they smuggle to Singapore. The Navy will ambush and sink
the vessels if their crew show resistance," Purwanto was quoted
by Antara as saying.

He said a warship that comprised 30 personnel had enough
weaponry to gun down a vessel.

He said his troops had conducted routine patrols in the
Karimun waters and carried out intelligence operations to monitor
sawmill companies involved in log smuggling.

Purwanto said that at least 10 vessels were busted every week
because they carried logs without proper export documents.

"We arrest the crew and pursue legal measures based on the
existing laws," he said.

Purwanto denied reports that the Navy was not serious in
addressing smuggling and that they often assisted smugglers.

Media reports said the Navy had released suspects in an
attempted smuggling of 42 containers of logs.

"I have been informed about that matter by the Navy
Headquarters but it is beyond my knowledge. The containers were
held by the Batam Naval Base and are currently being detained at
Tanjungbalai Karimun forestry office. I myself have never
received any instruction to handle the case," Purwanto said.

With water making up the most of its territory, Indonesia
lacks the warships and human resources to contain smuggling and
other maritime crimes.