Lanal TBK Thwarts Smuggling of 14 Illegal Indonesian Migrant Workers to Malaysia Again

The Quick Response Team of Region Naval Command IV at the Tanjung Balai Karimun Naval Base (Lanal TBK), Riau Islands, has once again foiled the smuggling of 14 Indonesian migrant workers (PMI) through non-procedural means destined for Malaysia.

Commander of Lanal TBK, Lieutenant Colonel (Sea) Samuel C. Noya, stated that in this case, the team apprehended one boat captain with the initials W (48 years old) and one crew member with the initials A (37 years old), along with nine male PMI and five female PMI from various regions in Indonesia.

“All the apprehended parties have been brought to the Lanal TBK Command Headquarters (Mako) for further examination in accordance with applicable procedures,” said Lieutenant Colonel Samuel during a press conference at Mako Lanal TBK on Monday.

Acting on the information, the Quick Response Team of Region Naval Command IV Lanal TBK immediately moved towards the waters around Takong Iyu at approximately 21:35 WIB.

“At 23:35 WIB, the team detected the sound of a suspicious outboard motor boat heading towards the Malaysia border,” he revealed.

Subsequently, the commander explained, the team pursued the boat and even fired warning shots because it did not heed the order to stop.

According to him, the speedboat was finally stopped at 01:00 WIB, and all passengers were secured without resistance.

Upon inspection, the boat with a 200 PK engine was captained by one helmsman and one crew member, carrying 14 illegal PMI passengers. The vessel had departed from Mecan Island, Batam, bound for Pontian, Malaysia.

He stated that each PMI had incurred losses ranging from Rp5 million to Rp13 million to work illegally in Malaysia or through unofficial channels.

The suspect helmsman and crew of the boat transporting the illegal PMI will be handed over to the Water and Air Police Unit (Satpolairud) of the Karimun Police Resort for further legal proceedings.

“Meanwhile, the PMI will be handed over to the PMI Protection Agency (P4MI) for further handling in accordance with applicable regulations,” he said.

The Lanal commander added that this successful prevention of illegal PMI smuggling is a real implementation of the order from the Chief of Staff of the Navy (Kasal), Admiral TNI Muhammad Ali, in upholding maritime law and preventing criminal acts of smuggling goods or humans via sea routes, particularly in border areas.