Testimony sought from Kupang locals

KUPANG, East Nusa Tenggara: The Australian Federal Police (AFP) recently lodged a request with the East Nusa Tenggara provincial police to allow two Kupang residents to testify in an Australian court over the sinking of a ship loaded with illegal immigrants in 2001.

The two were First Insp. I, a former intelligence officer, and MAA, a civilian employee at the provincial police, according to Brig. Gen. Edward Aritonang on Tuesday.

The ship, loaded with 398 illegal immigrants from the Middle East, sank close to Christmas island near Australia on Oct. 19, 2001. Of the total 398 passengers and crew, 353 died in the incident. -- JP