Speedbooat Owner Becomes Suspect In Boat Sinking Case In SBB That Killed 8 People

The West Seram Police Polair Unit (SBB) investigators named IK alias Ikbal, the owner of the Dua Nona speedboat, as a suspect in the case of the sinking of the boat in the waters of the Manipa Islands, which resulted in the death of eight people.

SBB Police Chief, Dennie Andreas Dharmawan emphasized that his party continues to investigate this case transparently.

"We are not covering up this case, let alone compromising with the perpetrators. The investigation process took a long time because we had to go to witnesses on various islands to Namlea, considering their condition did not allow them to come to Piru," said the Police Chief, quoted by ANTARA, Tuesday, February 25.

According to the Police Chief, after examining 23 witnesses and holding the case, investigators named IK as a suspect on February 20, 2025.

The witnesses examined included reporters, rescue teams, survivors, crew members (ABK), as well as representatives from the Central Maluku Transportation Service, SBB Transportation Service, Class II Tulehu UPP Office, and UpP Hatu Piru Office.

IK was charged with Article 302 paragraph (3) of Law Number 66 of 2024 or Article 323 paragraph (3) of Law Number 68 of 2024 concerning shipping. The penalty is more than seven years in prison.

"We have arrested the suspect, and the evidence that was secured is in the form of three units of a Yamaha 40 PK machine and a white Dua Nona speedboat," explained the Police Chief.

From the results of the investigation, it is known that IK as the captain does not have documents for sailors, such as certificates of expertise, certificates of inauguration, and skills certificates as captain.

In addition, Dua Nona is not registered as a passenger ship at the SBB or Central Maluku Transportation Service.

"This accident occurred because the suspect was unable to control the speedboat," he added.

The police chief confirmed that his party would resolve this case to court.

"We will submit the first stage soon, and we are trying to immediately submit the files to the Public Prosecutor (JPU) of the SBB Kejari so that this case can be tried immediately," he asserted.