SINGAPORE: A Western Fleet Quick Response (WFQR) team from the Navy’s Tanjungpinang naval base IV has seized 19 containers allegedly carrying illegal goods from Singapore, including Singaporean armed forces uniforms.
The Navy said it was investigating the reason behind the alleged smuggling of military uniforms into Indonesia.
Naval base commander Commodore S.Irawan said the container carrying Singaporean military uniforms was not the main target of the WFQR team. During its operation on Wednesday, the team initially aimed to inspect cargo carried by freighter KLM Putri Setia, which had docked at an illegal port in Batam.
“KLM Putri Setia carried various electronic equipment, such as LED TVs, refrigerators and washing machines. The goods were in 19 containers,” said Irawan on Thursday evening. For further investigation, the WFQR team moved the containers back onto the vessel, which was later taken to the Tanjungpinang naval base.
It was during a joint security check with customs and excise officers that the WFQR team found Singaporean camouflage uniforms and several walkie-talkies in one container. “We’re amazed at how these Singaporean military uniforms were smuggled into Batam. For what? We are still investigating the matter,” said Irawan.
He said the team was questioning the vessel’s captain, identified only as Acai, to determine from where the illegal goods came.
“Singapore has always denied that goods, new or used, were illegally exported to Batam. I think this finding has proven the rampant export of garbage from Singapore to our country,” said Irawan.
