Indonesia to sanction foreigners violating protected wildlife laws

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesia's Immigration Directorate General will impose appropriate sanctions on foreigners who violate Indonesian laws, particularly those who damage the environment or threaten protected wildlife, Director General Hendarsam Marantoko said.

Hendarsam was responding to the detention of a Chinese national who allegedly hunted turtles in the waters off Piaynemo, Raja Ampat, West Papua, before attempting to leave Indonesia.

"Foreigners will not be allowed to act as they please in Indonesia without appropriate sanctions. We must protect the nation's dignity," Hendarsam said in a statement released in Jakarta on Tuesday.

Immigration authorities detained the Chinese national, identified by the initials WS, at Sultan Hasanuddin International Airport in Makassar on Monday, September 14.

Hendarsam said WS, a certified diving instructor, was detained following initial information from Raja Ampat's National Unity and Politics Agency and a request from the deputy regent to prevent him from leaving Indonesia.

"Immigration officials in Sorong coordinated with their Makassar counterparts to pursue WS after tracking him from Sorong to Makassar, where he planned to fly to Kuala Lumpur," Hendarsam said.

After locating WS at Sultan Hasanuddin International Airport, immigration intelligence and enforcement officers went to the airport at 5 p.m. local time to detain him.

The case began after WS's activities in Raja Ampat drew public attention. Footage circulated on social media showed him spearfishing and allegedly targeting protected wildlife, including turtles.

A video he uploaded and which later circulated widely on social media showed him shooting a leatherback sea turtle with a spearfishing gun.

Following the report, the Sorong Immigration Office listed WS as a subject of interest and tracked his movements through the Passenger Information System at immigration checkpoints.

Hendarsam said WS would be returned to the Sorong Immigration Office for further questioning on Wednesday, September 16.

"After WS arrives in Sorong, our officers will conduct an in-depth examination. We will also coordinate with the Raja Ampat administration and relevant agencies to gather information and supporting documents," Hendarsam said.

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Translator: Laily R, Rahmad Nasution
Editor: M Razi Rahman
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