DPR asks the government to maximize the search for 3 Indonesian citizens missing in the Strait of Hormuz

Strait of Hormuz Iran/U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Janae Chambers via Wikimedia Commons

Commission I of the House of Representatives (DPR) asked the government through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Kemenlu) to maximize efforts to search for three Indonesian citizen (WNI) crew members who were reported missing after the Musaffah 2 tugboat was burned and sank in the Strait of Hormuz, Middle East.

The incident occurred when the United Arab Emirates (UAE) flag ship was on fire before finally sinking in the strategic waters of the Strait of Hormuz, amid the escalating war conflict between Iran against the United States and Israel.

Member of Commission I of the DPR, Iman Sukri, emphasized that protection of Indonesian citizens abroad must be the government's top priority, especially in conflict situations that could potentially endanger the safety of Indonesian citizens working in the region.

"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs must work hard and maximize the search for the three Indonesian crew members who are still missing. The government needs to ensure that all rescue efforts are carried out optimally," Iman Sukri told reporters, Monday, March 9.

The member of the commission for international relations and defense also asked the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to continue to strengthen coordination with Indonesian diplomatic representatives in the Middle East region, especially the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia (KBRI) Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates and the KBRI Muscat in Oman.

According to Iman, cross-country coordination is very important considering that the location of the incident is on an international shipping route involving many maritime authorities from various countries.

"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs must continue to coordinate with the Indonesian Embassy in Abu Dhabi and the Indonesian Embassy in Muscat, as well as communicate with local authorities and related countries to expand the search," he said.

In addition, Iman Sukri also encouraged the Indonesian government to cooperate with various countries that have the ability and authority in the waters of the Strait of Hormuz to accelerate the search process.

"The government must coordinate with various countries, especially the UAE in conducting the search. All steps must be taken so that the three Indonesian citizens can be found immediately," he said.

He hopes that the three Indonesian ABK who are missing can be found immediately in a safe condition. "We all hope that the three Indonesians can be found immediately in a safe condition and can reunite with their families," he concluded.