PKB Calls on Foreign Ministry to Coordinate with UAE and Oman to Expand Search for Three Missing Indonesian Seafarers

A member of Commission I of the House of Representatives from the PKB faction, Iman Sukri, has called on the Foreign Ministry to maximise search efforts for three Indonesian seafarers reported missing after the tugboat Musaffah 2 exploded in the Strait of Hormuz. Iman emphasised that the protection of Indonesian nationals must be the government’s priority, particularly in situations of conflict.

“The Foreign Ministry must work diligently and maximise the search for the three missing Indonesian crew members. The government must ensure that all rescue efforts are carried out optimally,” Iman Sukri told reporters on Tuesday, 10 March 2026.

The PKB party chairman called on the Foreign Ministry to continue strengthening coordination with Indonesian diplomatic representatives in the Middle East region, particularly the Indonesian Embassy in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, and the Indonesian Embassy in Muscat, Oman. He noted that international coordination was particularly important given that the incident occurred in an international shipping lane.

“The Foreign Ministry must continue coordinating with the Indonesian embassies in Abu Dhabi and Muscat, and establish communication with local authorities and relevant countries to expand the search,” said Iman.

Iman urged the government to establish cooperation with various countries that have authority in the waters of the Strait of Hormuz, with the expectation that this would expedite the search process.

“The government must coordinate with various countries, particularly the UAE in conducting the search. All steps must be taken so that the three Indonesian nationals can be quickly found,” he said.

“We all hope that the three Indonesian nationals can be found soon in a safe condition and can return to be reunited with their families,” he concluded.

The tugboat Musaffah 2, flagged to the United Arab Emirates, experienced an explosion in the Strait of Hormuz. Three Indonesian crew members are reported missing and the search is ongoing.

Heni Hamidah, Acting Director of the Foreign Ministry’s Indonesian National Protection Agency, said the incident involving the burning and sinking of the Musaffah 2 occurred on Thursday, 6 March. The vessel sank between the waters of the United Arab Emirates and Oman at 02:00 local time.

“The incident occurred in the Strait of Hormuz, between the waters of the UAE and Oman on 6 March 2026 at 02:00 local time. According to eyewitness accounts, Musaffah 2 experienced an explosion which caused the vessel to catch fire and sink. To date, authorities in the UAE and Oman are still investigating the cause of the incident,” Heni told reporters on Sunday, 8 March.

The Foreign Ministry stated that Indonesian diplomatic representatives coordinated with authorities in the UAE, Oman, and the company Safeen Prestige. The Musaffah 2 crew consisted of seven personnel from Indonesia, India, and the Philippines.