Social Media User Denies Involvement in Turtle Poaching Case Alongside Foreign National

I am not a partner of WS, I was not a participant in the activity, and I am not involved in the alleged turtle hunting.

The owner of the @dylan_yuchenzeng social media account has denied being identified as an associate of a foreign national, identified by the initials WS, who is suspected of killing turtles in the waters of Raja Ampat, Southwest Papua.

“I am not a partner of WS, I was not a participant in the activity, and I am not involved in the alleged turtle hunting,” the account owner wrote in a written clarification received in Makassar, South Sulawesi, on Wednesday.

The clarification was issued in response to news reports stating that posts from the @dylan_yuchenzeng account suggested they were a “suspected associate” and showed parts of a turtle in a pot intended for consumption.

The account owner refuted the claims regarding their status in those reports.

“On the contrary, I am the party voicing this case and am helping to ensure that the case receives public attention and is handled by the authorities,” they wrote.

According to the individual, the reporting caused their identity and social media account to be misinterpreted as being involved in the case, resulting in online attacks and accusations.

They emphasised that they had no involvement in the activities allegedly carried out by WS and stated they are pushing for the case to be processed by the relevant authorities.

Previously, officers from the Makassar Class I Special Immigration Office (TPI) detained WS at the departure area of Sultan Hasanuddin International Airport, Maros Regency, South Sulawesi, on Monday (14/9) at approximately 5:00 PM WITA.

WS was detained while attempting to travel via AirAsia flight AK335 from Makassar to Kuala Lumpur.

“We detained the individual when there were indications they were about to travel on AirAsia flight AK335 on the Makassar to Kuala Lumpur route,” said the Head of the Makassar Class I Special Immigration Office, Abdi Widodo Subagio, in Makassar on Tuesday (15/9).

According to immigration records, WS is named Wei Sang and works as a diving instructor trainer.

WS is suspected of hunting protected turtle species in the waters of Raja Ampat, Southwest Papua.

The case began following community reports regarding suspected spearfishing activities in the waters of Paynemo, Raja Ampat Regency.

In a video circulating on social media, a man was allegedly seen shooting a turtle using a speargun. The incident subsequently drew public and local government attention.

The Raja Ampat Regency Government subsequently submitted a request for a travel ban (prevention of departure) against WS via official letter Number 500.5.6.5/342/2026, dated 14 September 2026.

Immigration officers at Sultan Hasanuddin Airport acted on this request by detaining WS before his departure to Kuala Lumpur.

“This action was taken to ensure that the law enforcement process in Indonesia can be completed first,” said Abdi.

Makassar Immigration is currently coordinating with the Raja Ampat Regency Government and the Sorong Class II Immigration Office regarding the handling of the case.

WS is currently being held at the Makassar Class I Special Immigration Office before being transferred to the Sorong Immigration Office for further processing.