Master Of Ship Carrying 52 PMI Illegally To Malaysia Arrested, Confession Received Rp5 Million

JAKARTA - The police managed to arrest the captain of the ship carrying 52 illegal Indonesian Migrant Workers (PMI) who were about to depart for Malaysia via Asahan waters, North Sumatra some time ago.

"The captain of the ship with the initials JM has officially been named a suspect," said Asahan Police Chief AKBP Putu Yudha Prawira during the case exposure at the Asahan Police Headquarters, reported by Antara, Saturday, January 8.

Based on the results of the interrogation, the suspect admitted that he was ordered by a woman with the initials N to bring the illegal PMIs to Malaysia on Thursday, January 6.

"The suspect was promised a salary of Rp. 5 million by N," he said.

The suspect JM carried out the action with G, A and T on orders from a woman with the initials N.

The Head of Police said the Asahan Police along with TNI AL officers Lanal TBA were still conducting an investigation to pursue other perpetrators involved in the trafficking in persons.

The perpetrators of JM are suspected of Article 2 paragraph (1) subs Article 10 more than Article 11 of RI Law NO. 21 of 2007 concerning the Eradication of Criminal Acts of Trafficking in Persons and Article 81 Jo Article 69 subs 83 Jo 68 of RI Law No. 18 of 2017 concerning Protection Indonesian Migrant Workers in conjunction with Articles 55, 56 of the Criminal Code.

"Or articles for a minimum of three years and a maximum of 15 years in prison and a maximum fine of Rp.600 million," he said.

Previously, the joint sea patrol of the Tanjungbalai Asahan Navy Base (Lanal TBA) and the Asahan Police thwarted an attempt to dispatch 52 illegal Indonesian Migrant Workers (PMI) who were about to depart for Malaysia, Friday, January 7.

A total of 52 illegal migrant workers were secured from an unnamed motorboat/KM while sailing from Tanjungbalai Indonesia to Malaysia, to be precise in Asahan waters.

The illegal PMI passengers of KM without the name GT.5 consisted of 34 men, 17 adult women and 1 toddler girl.