Two Indonesian women intercepted in illegal sea passage to Johor

JOHOR BARU: Indonesian authorities have successfully prevented an illegal sea passage attempt, apprehending the alleged boat captain following a pursuit off Pulau Sambu. The two Indonesian migrant workers were intercepted on October 1st at 8:03pm by Riau Islands marine police. The blue-and-red speedboat, propelled by a 40-horsepower engine, was utilized to transport the women from Pulau Bulang to Malaysia via an illicit route.

The New Straits Times reported that the women were lured towards Johor waters with promises of domestic helper positions. The boat captain is also believed to have received additional payment for ferrying Indonesian migrants back from Johor after delivering the women. Sources indicated the women had contacted the captain after discovering his services advertised on social media.

Following the abandonment of the speedboat and the captain's escape into a forested area on Pulau Sambu, a joint search by police and villagers ensued, ultimately leading to the arrest of the captain the following day. The accomplice remains at large. The seized boat and a mobile phone were handed over to authorities. Riau Islands Marine Police and Air Directorate chief Ade Mulyana stated that investigations revealed the women were recruited through separate agents, and the captain had liaised with a Malaysian agent, transferring six million rupiah (approximately RM1,500) via a bank account, facilitated by yet another Indonesian agent.

Police are actively pursuing the investigation, adhering to Indonesia's law on the Protection of Indonesian Migrant Workers and relevant provisions of its Criminal Code.