MPR Deputy Speaker Akbar Supratman Praises BNN for Uncovering 1.3-Tonne Drug Syndicate

Deputy Speaker of the People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR) A.M. Akbar Supratman has expressed his appreciation to the National Narcotics Agency (BNN) and all law enforcement officers for successfully thwarting the smuggling of 1,298 kilograms, or nearly 1.3 tonnes, of the psychotropic substance ketamine in the waters of the Riau Islands. Eight foreign crew members were detained in the operation.

The case disclosure serves as important evidence that state apparatus are continuing to strengthen surveillance of narcotics entry routes, particularly border areas and waters that are vulnerable to exploitation by international narcotics syndicate networks. The BNN itself has stressed that the geographical character of the Riau Islands, which is largely maritime and directly borders several countries, makes the region highly vulnerable to cross-border narcotics trafficking.

Akbar assessed that the success of the authorities in thwarting the large-scale narcotics smuggling is a strategic step in protecting the Indonesian public and younger generation. He made the remarks at the parliamentary complex in Senayan, Jakarta, today.

“I extend my highest appreciation to BNN Chief Commissioner General Suyudi Ario Seto and all BNN personnel involved in this operation. The seizure of nearly 1.3 tonnes of ketamine is certainly no small matter. This shows that inter-agency synergy is working and that the state is concretely present to protect the public from the threat of dangerous substance trafficking,” Akbar said on Wednesday (12/8/2026).

“The seizure of nearly 1.3 tonnes of ketamine as evidence is not merely a quantitative statistical record. The successful securing of this evidence represents a concrete rescue of at least 6,490,000 (six million four hundred and ninety thousand) young Indonesian lives from the grip of narcotics abuse,” he continued.

In his view, narcotics eradication must not only be carried out after the illicit goods have entered Indonesian territory. Strengthening prevention, border surveillance, intelligence information exchange, and cooperation between the BNN and relevant agencies must continue to be enhanced.

Akbar stressed that narcotics pose a serious threat to national resilience. Drug trafficking is not only a legal and health issue, but also concerns the future of the younger generation, public security, and the quality of Indonesia’s human resources.

“We must view narcotics eradication as part of efforts to safeguard the nation’s future. We must not allow our younger generation to become a target market for international narcotics networks,” he said.

He also urged that the success of the case disclosure be followed by a comprehensive network investigation, so that it does not stop at the arrest of field operatives but can uncover the main actors, funding sources, distribution routes, and the international networks behind them. Akbar also called on the public to play an active role in combating narcotics by increasing vigilance and providing information to the authorities if they find indications of drug trafficking in their respective communities.

“The success of the authorities in the Riau Islands is expected to further strengthen the national commitment to realising an Indonesia free from the threat of narcotics and to creating a younger generation that is healthy, productive, and competitive,” he concluded.