inp.polri.go.id - Tanjung Balai. The Marine Patrol Sub-Directorate Team of the Indonesian National Police (INP) successfully thwarted an attempt to smuggle 29 illegal Indonesian Migrant Workers (PMI) in the waters of Tanjung Balai, Asahan Regency, North Sumatra. 

In the law enforcement operation that took place at sea, officers secured a number of individuals who were about to be sent illegally to Malaysia.

A total of 19 Indonesian citizens, 9 Bangladeshi citizens, and 1 baby were found ready to be sent to Malaysia. In the arrest, the police also succeeded in arresting a ship captain with the initials MFL (21), along with evidence of one unnamed motorboat with a 4-cylinder Hyundai engine and 1 Redmi mobile phone.

The Director of the Water Police oh INP, Brigadier General Idil Tabransyah, emphasized police's commitment to take firm action against human trafficking and illegal migrant worker shipments, particularly through sea routes. 

"We will continue to eradicate illegal migrant worker shipment syndicates. This is not only about law enforcement, but also about protecting Indonesian citizens and the country's sovereignty," Idil emphasized.

The suspect, MFL, was charged with Article 83 in conjunction with Article 68 and Article 81 in conjunction with Article 69 of Law No. 18 of 2017 concerning the Protection of Indonesian Migrant Workers, as well as Article 120 of Law No. 6 of 2011 concerning Immigration, which has been amended by Law No. 63 of 2024, in conjunction with Article 55 or Article 56 of the Criminal Code. If found guilty, he faces up to 10 years in prison and a maximum fine of Rp15 billion.

Currently, all illegal migrant workers who were successfully rescued have been handed over to the relevant agencies for further data collection and handling in accordance with applicable procedures.

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