Navy foils illegal entry

JAKARTA: The Bagan Siapi-api Navy patrol unit in Sumatra has apprehended a boat carrying 33 Indonesians who were being smuggled into Malaysia.

The boat was seized near Halang Island in the Riau archipelago as it was making its way to Malaysia. The 18 men and 15 women came from Madura in East Java, according to a statement by the Navy. They were planning to work in Malaysia.

The Navy patrol has handed over the jobseekers to the local authorities who are expected to send them back to their home villages.

The boat captain and a crew member have been sent to Dumai to face possible prosecution. (par)