Indonesian boat tragedy: Investigation results in several arrests

The move is part of the agencies' efforts to address human trafficking of illegal migrant workers from Indonesia to Malaysia and their thorough investigation into the boat capsize incident in last December where 21 people died.

Riau Police have arrested three suspects including the boat owner, identified as Susanto, after the boat capsized in the waters off Tanjung Balau, Kota Tinggi, Johor, Malaysia.

The two suspects believed to be recruiting brokers from Batam were detained on Jan 2, while Susanto was arrested in Tanjung Uban Bintan, Riau Islands, according to online media reports.

In the tragedy last month, a boat, believed to be carrying about 50 immigrants, capsized in the waters of Tanjung Balau at 4.30am during stormy weather.

The number of victims drowned in the boat capsize remains at 21 people, with over 16 still feared missing and13 rescued. Nine of the survivors are from Lombok, and one each from Batam, Pekan Baru, Jember and Tanjung Balai Karimun.

The tragedy sparked outrage and rekindled ugly memories of past incidents, including to a Member of Commission I of the House of Representatives, Christina Aryani, who said authorities have not addressed long-standing human trafficking issues properly.

Aryani expressed hope the tragedy would be a momentum of comprehensive reform, stressing that "it's a matter of human life."

Meanwhile, the Agency for the Placement and Protection of Indonesian Migrant Workers revealed individuals who seek work abroad illegally pay up to 15 million rupiah (RM4,400) to recruiters.

Head of Manpower and Transmigration Department of Central Lombok Regency, Lalu Karyawan urged the public to remain vigilant against recruiters who offers jobs in Malaysia.

The local government has not yet received any notice from the central government regarding job placement in Malaysia since the pandemic's onset, Indonesian news agency, Antara quoted him as saying.

The most recent case, authorities thwarted an attempt to send 52 illegal migrant, comprising 34 men, 17 women and a toddler to Malaysia, last Thursday.

Asahan Police Chief Assistant Commissioner Putu Yudha Prawira said authorities arrested the captain of a nameless boat which was to set off to Malaysia on Jan 6 at 8.30pm from Asahan waters, in Sumatra.

The suspect and his three accomplice carried out the action on the order of a woman who would pay them five million rupiah.

The suspect violated Law 18 of 2017 on employment protection, navigation laws and Law 21 of 2007 on the eradication of trafficking in persons.

The person could face a minimum of three years and a maximum of 15 year imprisonment and a pay fine of up to 600 million rupiah (RM176,000), Putu Yudha said in a statement.

On the night of Jan 6, the Navy acted upon a tip off that a boat was heading to Malaysia, Commander of Asahan Navy Fleet Command, Junior Admiral Arsyad Abdullah said.

"We captured the boat and brought it onshore at 3.00am," he said, adding that his team would continue to conduct regular sea patrols in the area.

Police and the Navy are still investigating to pursue other perpetrators connected with the smuggling ring.