The Bodies Of Seven Indonesian Citizens Who Were Victims Of The Shipwreck In Malaysia Are From NTB

JAKARTA - Seven of the eight bodies of Indonesian citizens who were victims of a shipwreck in Malaysian waters who were returned to the country are residents of West Nusa Tenggara (NTB). The other is a resident of East Java.

The Head of Public Relations of the Riau Islands Police, Kombes Harry Goldenhardt, stated that all of the PMI's bodies had gone through the identification process by the Malaysian authorities.

The eight bodies were Ahmad Sutrisno Pratama from Selong District, East Lombok, NTB, Baharudin from Batukliang District, Central Lombok, NTB, and Dedi Suryadi from Suralaga District, East Lombok Regency, NTB.

Rusdi from Lenek District, East Lombok, NTB, Sadi from Batukliang District, Central Lombok, NTB, Sri Mindari from Jatiroto Lumajang District, East Java, Supardi from Lenek East Lombok NTB, and Uhwalul U from Aikmel, East Lombok Regency, NTB.

Upon arrival in Batam, the bodies were immediately taken to Bhayangkara Hospital for further processing by the DVI Team and Bhayangkara Hospital.

"On behalf of the government, we offer our condolences for the death of our citizen who attempted to work and enter illegally through Malaysian waters," he said, quoted by Antara, Tuesday, January 4.

Until now, the International Humanitarian Mission Task Force Team has twice repatriated Indonesian citizens who were victims of shipwrecks in Malaysia. Previously, on December 23, 2021, the team had picked up 11 other bodies.

Kombes Harry said that based on the results of the coordination of the International Humanitarian Mission Operations Task Force with the Royal Malaysian Police, there were still three bodies of Indonesian citizens who were victims of the shipwreck in a neighboring country.

"However, until today, the three of them have not been identified, because there is no comparative data that can be used as a reference by the Malaysian authorities," he said.

Regarding law enforcement, Kombes Harry said that the investigation process was still ongoing, which was carried out by the Riau Islands Regional Police together with the Criminal Investigation Unit at the National Police Headquarters.

So far, his party has arrested three people suspected of being responsible for sending illegal PMIs to Malaysia based on evidence.

"Investigators continue to carry out the investigation process to uncover the chain of 'human trafficking'," said Kombes Harry.

The police reminded residents who wanted to work abroad to follow the right path.

"Through the appropriate path, the law is determined, so that there is legal protection for our citizens who work abroad," he said.