Another Indonesian Jailed Sends Strong Message on People Smuggling

Australian Ambassador to Indonesia, Bill Farmer, said the jailing of the third Indonesian skipper involved in recent people smuggling activity should send a strong message that Australia will not tolerate such crimes.

The six year jail term (with a minimum three years’ non-parole) handed down to 31-year-old Man Pombili by the Western Australian District Court today, following the six-year and five-year jail sentences received by two Indonesian skippers earlier this year, reinforced the message that those found guilty faced severe punishment.

Pombili pleaded guilty to smuggling 10 people into Australia after the boat he skippered was located south of Ashmore Island by the Royal Australian Navy on November 19 last year. The boat had been holed, was flooding fast and sinking when the Navy found it and rescued all those on board.

Earlier this month 58-year-old Amosh Ndolo was sentenced to five years’ jail for smuggling 16 people into Australia on October 6 last year, and last month 35-year-old Abdul Hamid was sentenced to six years’ jail after pleading guilty to smuggling 12 people into Australia. The Royal Australian Navy intercepted the boat he skippered near Ashmore Reef on September 29 last year.

“People smuggling is a dangerous crime that exploits vulnerable people during times of desperation and demonstrates a callous disregard for the law,” Ambassador Farmer said. “This has been reinforced by the tragic events of yesterday off Australia’s northwest coast.”

Ambassador Farmer said the Australian Government would continue to work with regional partners to deal with issues involving irregular migration and people smugglers.

This week Australia and Indonesia co-chaired the third Bali Regional Ministerial Conference on People Smuggling, Trafficking in Persons and Related Transnational Crime involving delegates from some 40 countries and 7 international organisations.

“The meeting was a valuable opportunity to refocus regional attention on these issues and reinvigorate the work of the Bali Process,” Ambassador Farmer said.

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