Chief of Naval Staff (KSAL) Admiral Yudo Margono ordered the Naval Military Police Center (Puspomal) to investigate allegations of Papua Wildlife smuggling using the KRI (Warship of the Republic of Indonesia). The smuggling allegedly took place on KRI Teluk Lada 521.
The Naval Military Response Regarding Papua Wildlife Smuggling
“I ordered Puspomal to carry out an examination and investigation about it. I have ordered Danpuspomal to carry out an examination and investigation,” said Yudo at the Indonesian Navy’s Kesatrian TNI AL Pondok Dayung.
“Moreover, a bird smuggling mafia or just crew members who buy it usually come home with mementos,” he said.
Yudo maintains that this is against the law. To that purpose, Yudo said that he would examine the problem together with the commander of KRI Teluk Lada.
“Even though it (smuggling) is prohibited. Of course, we will check this later, the ship commander. He must be responsible for bringing rare birds from Papua Wildlife protected by law,” said Yudo.
What Kind of Papua Wildlife did They Smuggle?
Based on the report, KRI Teluk Lada-521 brought 30 wild birds from Sorong, West Papua, to Surabaya, East Java.
Furthermore, the Military Police Command Fleet II confiscated tens of the birds when the ship was in Surabaya. Based on this finding, Yudo requested an investigation immediately to find out the background of the existence of wild animals on KRI Teluk Lada-521.
“That’s why it’s under investigation and investigation, whether it’s the bird smuggling mafia or just the crew who bought it for home, usually bringing home souvenirs, even though it’s forbidden,” said Yudo.
The ship’s commander further requested to participate in this assessment and investigation at Yudo’s request.
“Of course, he must be responsible for bringing rare birds from Papua, which are protected by law,” he said.
Quoted from Kompas.id, the Military Police of Koarmada II confiscated wildlife from Papua on KRI Teluk Lada-521. Kompas then went to the Military Police Headquarters of Koarmada II and found wild animals, mostly birds, in metal cages and checked by the local military police team.
These birds were relocated from a number of the Ministry of Environment and Forestry’s (MoEF) technical divisions, principally in Java and Manado, located outside West Papua. They also found some birds during patrols in the Sorong Municipality and Sorong Regency. All released birds are members of the indigenous Papuan fauna, which is protected by several Indonesian laws and rules.
First Admiral Yeheskiel Kantiadagho, S.E., M.M., Chief of Staff of Fleet Command III, together with some of the event’s guests, unlocked the doors from their transit cages, and all 37 birds flew into the forest.
G20, Bali, and Their Investigation
Bali will host the 17th G20 Summit on November 15–16, 2022. The summit will result from a labor-intensive process that began during Indonesia’s one-year chairmanship of the G20 and continued throughout the G20 workflow (Ministerial Level Meetings, Working Groups, and Engagement Groups).
Recover Together, Recover Stronger is the Indonesian country’s theme for the 2022 G20 Presidency. The government wishes to invite everyone to collaborate and support one another as they develop stronger and more sustainability through this Papua Wildlife matter.
Final Verdict
Global health architecture, sustainable energy transition, and digital and economic transformation were the three key priority problems brought forward during the forum. The European Union and 19 large nations make up the G20, a forum for global collaboration. More than 60% of the world’s population, 75% of its commerce, and 80% of its Gross Domestic Product are represented by the G20 (GDP).
