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Batam Navy foils human smuggling attempt
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Illegal dispatch: Undocumented workers attend a press conference at the National Police headquarters in Jakarta on May 17. The police have uncovered an international human trafficking network that dispatches Indonesian citizens to work abroad on visa misuse. (JP/Holly Cahya)
T
he Western Fleet Quick Response (WFQR) unit from the Batam Navy Base in Riau Islands foiled on Tuesday an attempt to smuggle undocumented workers into Malaysia.
A small boat with 27 people on board was intercepted as it sailed into Karang Galang waters at 2 a.m., said Batam Navy Base Commander Col. Ivong Wicaksono.
"Based on interrogations, the boat sailed an illegal seaport in Batam’s Punggur area, before heading to Desaru Beach in Johor Bahru, Malaysia," Ivong told The Jakarta Post on Wednesday.
Of the 27 people on board, one was a 2-month-old infant.
Ivong said that his team was still investigating whether the boy belonged to one of the workers or was part of a child-trafficking ring.
"We are also working to uncover the syndicate behind this [smuggling attempt]. We believe that they are experienced," he said.
Ivong added that Tuesday’s discovery proved that Indonesia’s security forces needed to step up their efforts in preventing cases of human trafficking.
Indonesia and Malaysia have agreed to work together to tackle the increase in illegal workers by conducting re-hiring programs for Indonesian undocumented workers and voluntary deportations of those who do not qualify for re-hiring.
