Customs and Border Protection visits Medan, Sibolga and Kuala Langsa

Australian Customs and Border Protection representatives from the Australian Embassy in Jakarta held a series of meetings with Indonesian agencies during a visit to Medan, Sibolga and Kuala Langsa in north Sumatra from 26 - 30 January 2011. One item discussed was the need to raise community awareness of the importance of combating people smuggling activities in the region.

During his visit to north Sumatra, Regional Director for Australian Customs and Border Protection, Mr Peter White, met Indonesian Government officials from maritime security portfolios including Customs, Fisheries, Port Authority, Sea and Coastguard and Indonesia's Search and Rescue agency, BASARNAS.

A focus of the visit was to raise awareness of the highly dangerous people smuggling activities that take place along the Sumatra coast and the nearby Mentawai Islands.

Australian authorities believe a number of people smuggling vessels have transited the Malacca Straits and Mentawai Islands on their way to Christmas Island, Australia.

An example of the extreme danger to both Indonesian crew and passengers happened on December 15, 2010 when tragically, an Indonesian vessel foundered on the rocks at Christmas Island. At least 30 people died and many were injured..

Australian authorities work closely with Indonesian law enforcement agencies across the archipelago to address illegal immigration and people smuggling in the region to prevent these ventures leaving Indonesian shores for Australia.

The Indonesian National Police has established a dedicated taskforce to work closely with Australian authorities to combat this issue.

During the course of his visit, Mr White also conveyed the Australian Government's condolences for the tragic loss of life and destruction of property in the Mentawai Islands following the October 25 2010 tsunami. Mr White underlined the Australian Government's commitment to assist affected coastal communities through support for the Indonesian Government's emergency response and recovery efforts.

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