The Indonesian Navy intercepted a boat carrying 11 undocumented migrant workers returning from Malaysia near Tanjung Balai Karimun. The operation, conducted by the Lanal TBK F1QR unit, occurred early Tuesday morning in the waters of Kakeng Combol, Judah Sugi Island, Karimun District, Riau Islands Province.
The naval unit received a report on Monday about the illegal migrants. The next morning, they apprehended the individuals and two crew members, identified as Az and Ed. Authorities also seized identification documents, the boat, and the belongings of the migrant workers. Lieutenant Colonel Anro Casanova, Commander of Lanal TBK, disclosed that a man named D is suspected of orchestrating the smuggling operation. “We are currently pursuing D, believed to be the mastermind behind smuggling undocumented Indonesian migrant workers,” Casanova remarked.
Authorities revealed that D had sent a group of 12 illegal migrants from Batam to Malaysia on Monday night. This group was later transferred to another boat crewed by Az and Ed. The crew and 11 migrant workers attempted to return to Batam via Karimun on Tuesday but were intercepted. The migrant workers admitted to paying D and his associates for the illegal passage, which was conducted at night to avoid detection.
The apprehended migrant workers, who come from various regions in Indonesia including Central Java, East Java, North Sumatra, and Lombok, had been working illegally in Malaysia. They will be handed over to immigration and migrant protection authorities for repatriation. “The two perpetrators, Az and Ed, will face legal proceedings,” Casanova stated.