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.