Pekanbaru, Riau (ANTARA) - The Indonesian Navy Base in Dumai, Riau, thwarted an attempt to smuggle 10 Indonesian migrant workers and 24 foreign nationals into Malaysia.

Some 18 of the foreign nationals are Rohingya people from Myanmar and six others are Bangladeshis.

Commander of the naval base Col. (P) Stanley Lekahena stated here on Tuesday that the authority had received early information on Saturday (May 13) on the plan to send migrant workers illegally.

"Our personnel received information on illegal migrant workers' departure from Pelintung Beach in Dumai to Malaysia aboard a high-speed boat," he revealed.

Upon arrival at the shore, he said, the Navy personnel scoured the mangrove forest to the beach and found the illegal workers gathered at the beach.

"The Pelintung Beach has become their assembly point. They are ready to leave illegally for Malaysia. There are 34 people comprising 30 men and four women," he stated.

They were brought to the Naval Base in Dumai on Monday for further investigation.

The 10 Indonesian migrant workers were then handed over to the Indonesian Migrant Workers' Protection Agency (BP3MI) of Riau Province.

Meanwhile, the foreign nationals were handed over to the Dumai Immigration Office, he remarked.

Lekahena noted that the success in foiling the human trafficking attempt was proof of the Navy's preparedness to address any threats within its operation area.

"The Navy's commitment is strict and clear, no compromise for any effort of human trafficking and other law violation at sea," Lekahena stated.

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Translator: Frislidia, Sri Haryati
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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