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Joint investigation conducted to find cause of Batam boat accident
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Joint operation -- Riau Islands Police chief Brig. Gen. Sambudi Gusdian (left) leads a search operation meeting in Tanjung Memban, Batam, Riau Islands, on Nov. 2. (JP/Fadli)
T
he Riau Islands Police are conducting a joint investigation with the Malaysian Royal Police, the Jambi Police and the West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) Police to uncover the cause of last week’s Batam boat incident and the parties who should be held responsible.
The National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) is still searching for the sunken vessel to support the investigation process.
Riau Islands Police chief Brig. Gen. Sambudi Gusdian said one crew member and the boat’s owner, who was a Malaysian permanent resident, have been named suspects.
"The crew member is currently undergoing an intensive examination while we are still waiting for coordination with the Malaysian Royal Police over the questioning of the boat owner,” said Sambudi on Sunday evening.
He said the investigation would involve the Jambi Police and the NTB Police because parties allegedly involved in the incident were from both provinces. “We will work with both police headquarters to find other potential suspects who could have aided in facilitating the illegal trip,” said Sambudi.
As reported earlier, a boat carrying 98 undocumented Indonesian migrant workers and three crew members sank in Nongsa waters, Batam, Riau Islands, on Nov. 2, killing 54 people on board while six others remain missing. The boat departed from Selingi, Johor Bahru, Malaysia, to Batam before it was struck by a large wave in Nongsa waters.
Based on existing rules, the victim search operation period should take place for up to seven days after the incident occurred. (ebf)
