Police Arrest Indonesians Believed to have Helped Migrants Enter Australia

Cianjur, West Java province (Antara) - West Java police here on Monday detained two suspects believed to have helped illegal immigrants leaving for Australia through Indonesian waters, including those whose boat sank in South Cianjur waters last July. That boat carried 204 asylum seekers from Sri Lanka, Iraq and Iran, 15 of whom drowned, while 189 survived. The boat was en route through Indonesian territory to Australia when the boat capsized. Early reports said the boat was sinking due to leaks in its hull. "The two suspects provide land and sea transportation for illegal immigrants entering Indonesia," spokesman to West Java's police Senior Commissioner Martinus Sitompul said. According to the police investigation, the two suspects, with the initials IP, 38 years old, and H, age 35, earlier helped illegal immigrants find shelter in Indonesia before proceeding to Australia. In the past several years, Indonesia has become a transit point for illegal immigrants from various countries seeking asylum in Australia. Some Indonesians have taken advantage of this movement of migrants to look for easy money by offering illegal immigrants transportation to reach Australia. The Australian government recently put into effect a stricter immigration policy to prevent asylum seekers from entering the country illegally. The Australian government has introduced a range of offshore immigration procedures to deter smuggling of migrants, said the ambassador, in a written statement to Antara News that was received here on Friday. "We also remain committed to working in close partnership with our neighbors in order to strengthen regional capabilities and border security for combating human smuggling and other transnational crimes," Australian ambassador to Indonesia Greg Moriarty said. (*)