Indonesian Navy Fails To Smuggle In North Sumatra's Coal Waters, Dozens Of Illegal Migrant Workers Are Full Of Mud On Their Bodies

PHOTOS/DOCK TNI AL

MEDAN - The Indonesian Navy team thwarted the smuggling of 34 illegal Indonesian Migrant Workers (PMI) in the waters of Batu Bara, North Sumatra.

The Commander of the Tanjungbalai Navy Base, Asahan, Marine Lieutenant Colonel (P) Aan Sebayang said the smuggling was foiled after the Marine Potential Development Officer (Babinpotmar) of the Tanjung Tiram Navy Post received information on PMI's departure via the Rat port route, Guntung Village, Tanjung Tiram District to Malaysia. .

"Then it was followed up by visiting the place in question and succeeded in arresting 4 people suspected of being illegal PMIs," said Lt. Col. Aan, Monday, February 7.

After successfully securing 4 people, then the Posal Commander in collaboration with the local TNI/Polri pursued a ship suspected of carrying illegal PMIs to Malaysia.

When found, the 30 PMI candidates were covered in mud on top of KM Kayla. They do have to swim in the mud to get to KM Kayla which will take them to Malaysia.

From the disclosure, a total of 34 prospective immigrant workers were successfully secured by joint personnel of the Navy and the local TNI-Polri.

"Currently, the KM Kayla ship has been moored at Posal Tanjung Tiram under the supervision of the Navy. Meanwhile, the 34 PMI candidates have been handed over to the police for data collection before being handed over to the authorities," said Lt. Col. Aan.

Separately, the Commander of the Fleet Command I, Admiral TNI Arsyad Abdullah, appreciated the achievements made by his staff. He ensured that the Indonesian Navy, Koarmada I, would continue to carry out patrols to prevent the entry and exit of illegal PMIs.

Admiral Arsyad emphasized that the Indonesian Navy will not compromise on matters that threaten state sovereignty, criminal acts and violations at sea.

"Koarmada I, through the TNI AL Base, will always support the policies of the Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Yudo Margono, by not neglecting and preventing illegal activities such as illegal PMI that are still happening," he said.