Indonesian Navy Secures 17 Illegal Migrant Workers In Tanjungbalai Asahan Waters

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MEDAN - A total of 17 people suspected of being Indonesian migrant workers without official or illegal documents were arrested by the Indonesian Navy. Dozens of PMIs were arrested while traveling from Malaysia in the waters of Kualuh Sungai Baru Tanjungbalai, North Sumatra.

The Commander of Lanal Tanjung Balai Asahan, Marine Lt. Col. (P) Robinson Hendrik Etwiory said all PMI and the 3 crew members of the ship were now secured at the Bagan Asahan Post.

"One Kalok type ship, with 1 captain and 2 crew members as well as 17 suspected illegal PMIs have now been secured at the Bagan Asahan Post after being caught sailing from Malaysia and trying to enter Tanjung Balai Asahan via an unofficial route," said Lt. Col. Robinson, Wednesday, 19 January.

Lt. Col. Robinson explained that the arrest began when the Fleet One Quick Response (F1QR) team of Lanal Tanjung Balai Asahan was carrying out a patrol in the waters of Kualuh Sungai Baru.

"At that time, the team found a suspicious ship and after an initial inspection it was found that it contained a number of people without the proper documents," he explained.

After the initial inspection, his party coordinated with BP2MI, Immigration and the police.

"Furthermore, the captain, crew and passengers were handed over to the Tanjung Balai Asahan Police for further processing," he said.

Separately, Commander of the Fleet Command (Pangkoarmada) I Admiral TNI Arsyad Abdullah, in his statement said that the Navy will always carry out patrol duties continuously. Especially, in areas that are suspected to be the entry and exit routes for illegal rats or rats.

"Whether it's in the form of commodities from abroad, illegal goods, even drugs and the smuggling of illegal migrant workers that occurred in the Koarmada I Working Area," said Admiral Arsyad.