Police Name Captain and ABK of a Ship Accident that Killed 4 Foreign Nationals

Illustration of a crime perpetrator being arrested (VOI)

KUPANG - The West Manggarai Police, NTT Police, have named a captain and a crew member as suspects in the KLM Putri Sakinah ship accident in West Manggarai waters which resulted in four foreign nationals dying.

Head of Public Relations of the NTT Police, Kombes Pol Henry Novika Chandra, said the determination of the suspect was made after the West Manggarai Police investigators conducted a case title on Thursday.

"The determination of the suspect was carried out through a case title which took place at the Manggarai Barat Police Criminal Investigation Unit, Thursday yesterday," said Henry as quoted by Antara, Friday, January 9.

He explained that the title of the case involved elements of the Special Criminal Investigation Directorate of the NTT Police, the Propam Division, as well as the internal oversight function of the police.

The two suspects were appointed as the ship's captain with the initials L and the ship's crew (ABK) for the engine or head of the engine room (KKM/BAS) with the initials M.

The determination of the suspect was made after investigators presented the results of the initial investigation and investigation, including witness statements, experts, and evidence that were considered to have met the elements of the crime.

Henry said the two suspects were charged with Article 359 of Law Number 1 of 1946 concerning the Criminal Code (KUHP) Juncto Article 330 and Article 20 letter c of Law Number 1 of 2023 concerning the Criminal Code, related to negligence which resulted in the death of another person.

"Investigators assess that there were elements of negligence in the operation of the ship that led to a maritime accident with fatalities," he said.

After the determination of the suspect, the investigators of the West Manggarai Police Criminal Investigation Unit will continue the legal process by completing the administrative investigation, coordinating with the public prosecutor, and preparing and completing the case file.

"We ensure that the handling of this case is carried out professionally, transparently, and accountable because it is the serious attention of the NTT Regional Police," said Henry.

The NTT Police also appealed to all business actors and users of marine transportation services to always prioritize maritime safety standards to prevent accidents that can cause casualties and legal consequences.