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View all search resultsTNI smuggling crackdown in Riau raises military overreach concerns
"The smuggling case should have been handled by law enforcement agencies, such as the police, immigration, and customs authorities. The military, particularly intelligence units at the regional command level, does not have the mandate to intervene in such matters."
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Indonesian Army graduates pose on July 23, 2025, during a commissioning ceremony for around 2,000 military and police academy officers at the Presidential Palace Complex in Central Jakarta. (AFP/Yasuyoshi Chiba)
T
he Indonesian Military (TNI) has foiled an attempt to smuggle food commodities from the Netherlands into Riau, but the operation has sparked concerns over potential military overreach into civilian affairs.
The operation, conducted on March 31, involved 15 personnel from the intelligence detachment of the Tuanku Tambusai Military Command in Pekanbaru, Riau.
Capt. Tumpal Purba, Commander of the Special Assistance Group at the detachment, said the operation was launched after military intelligence received information that imported goods were entering Indonesia without proper quarantine documentation.
“The cargo is suspected to include smuggled goods from the Netherlands, brought into Indonesia through an unofficial port in Tanjung Pinang, Riau Islands, and then transported to Indragiri Hilir regency in Riau for distribution,” he explained.
Tumpal added that military personnel intercepted the illicit cargo as it was being unloaded from the wooden boat KM Anisa 89 at an unofficial port in Jl. Gerilya Parit 6 in Tembilahan Hulu district, Indragiri Hilir regency.
Authorities inspecting the vessel found 40 tonnes of red onions, 4.4 tonnes of garlic, 3.5 tonnes of yellow onions and 370 kilograms of dried chili peppers.
“The crew failed to provide official quarantine documents, which are required for the interregional transport of agricultural commodities. Moreover, the manifest listed only 32 tonnes, while the actual cargo weighed approximately 60 tonnes,” Tumpal said.
