October 27, 2025 | 11:33 am
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesia's Rote Ndao Police arrested seven Chinese nationals and three Indonesian crew members who were suspected of attempting to smuggle illegal immigrants. The arrest took place in the waters south of Rote Island, East Nusa Tenggara province, Indonesia, on Sunday, October 26, 2025, around 17:00 local time.
The arrest was initiated after several fishermen spotted a foreign vessel docking near Ndana Island. One of the fishermen reported the discovery to Bhabinkamtibmas of Dalek Esa Village, Officer Bripka Edy Suryadi. The report was then forwarded to the Head of Intelligence and Security (Kanit POA Sat Intelkam) of Rote Ndao Police, Inspector Adjutant First Class Adrianto Foeh.
In response to the report, the Chief of Southwest Rote Police Sector, Inspector Second Class Godfried E. S. Mail, along with his team, moved towards Oebou Port. "Upon arrival at the location, the officers found a white unnamed vessel preparing to dock. Inside the vessel, seven Chinese nationals and three Indonesian crew members were found," he said on Monday, October 27, 2025.
The Rote Ndao Police have seized the vessel and brought all passengers to the Rote Ndao Police Station for further interrogation.
Previously Detained in Australian Waters
Based on the initial examination, the original goal of this group was to reach Australia. They departed from Baubau Port, Southeast Sulawesi, on October 16, 2025, around 19:00 local time. Initially, they boarded a small boat to be taken to a green vessel named RIVAL.
Their travel route included Baubau-Batu Atas-Larantuka (East Flores)-Rote-Australia with an estimated travel time of five days.
However, on October 21, 2025, when their vessel entered Australian waters, the group was detained by the Australian Federal Police (AFP), and their vessel was set on fire.
Five days later, on Sunday morning around 7:30 local time, the Indonesian crew members and Chinese nationals were transferred back to the white unnamed vessel and directed to sail towards Indonesian waters, until they were eventually apprehended by the Rote Ndao Police.
The three Indonesian crew members were identified as Aco (the captain), Jusman, and Indra. All three are residents of Pasipadanga Village, Maginti District, West Muna Regency, Southeast Sulawesi.
Meanwhile, the seven Chinese nationals who were detained are Lin Wen Song, Chen Xiao Bin, Lin Sheng Jin, Zheng Juandi, Hongchang Xing, Zheng Zu Yun, and Song Yu, all of whom are males.
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