Papuan Kangaroo Smuggler Undergoes Trial In Ambon

AMBON - Muhammad Yusuf alias Yusuf (35) who is a defendant in the alleged crime of smuggling seven endemic animal types of Kangarou Tree from Jayapura (Papua) has begun to undergo trial at the Ambon District Court (PN).

The chairman of the Ambon District Court, Orpha Martina, accompanied by two member judges, held an inaugural trial with the agenda of hearing the reading of the Ambon Prosecutor's indictment, Lilia Heluth, and continued with the examination of three witnesses.

According to the prosecutor, the defendant together with Luke (not his real name) who had the status of a police DPO departed from Jayapura Port (Papua) using KM Dobonsolo and arrived at Yos Sudarso Port Ambon on May 15, 2023, carrying seven endemic animal types of Kangaroo without permission.

Initially, the defendant, who was a member of the Jayapura Port TKBM, met Luke who asked for help to lift Luke's belongings in the form of seven Tree Kangaroos to be brought into the ship.

"The defendant knew that Luke's belongings were protected animals but he did not ask for official permission, instead he negotiated transportation to the ship with a fee of Rp. 1.5 million," explained the prosecutor as quoted by ANTARA, Tuesday, August 8.

The defendant's request was agreed so that the protected animal was brought into the ship, precisely in room 6018 which contained Luke's brother.

When he was in room 6018, Luke again offered the defendant to escort the seven Tree Kangaroos until they arrived in Surabaya (East Java).

The defendant also asked how much escort the Luke would give when he arrived in Surabaya, and he was promised to get a payment of Rp. 3 million.

However, the defendant and the evidence were finally secured by the police from the Ambon Yos Sudarso Port Area (KPYS) led by Iptu Police Chief Julkisno Kaisupy along with Maluku BKSDA officers when KM Dobonsolo docked at Yos Sudarso Ambon Port on May 15, 2023.

The defendant's actions are punishable by crime as referred to in Article 40 paragraph (2) in conjunction with Article 21 paragraph (2) letter A of the Republic of Indonesia Law Number 5 of 1990 concerning Conservation of Biological Natural Resources and Ecosystems.

At the beginning of the trial, the panel of judges reminded the defendant to be accompanied by a legal advisor but the person concerned refused.