Indonesia considers criminal charges for suspected turtle hunting

Indonesian immigration authorities are considering criminal charges against a foreign national, identified as Wei Shang (WS), for suspected turtle hunting in the Raja Ampat waters. Immigration Director General Hendarsam Marantoko stated that officials are coordinating with police to determine whether to apply immigration criminal provisions or laws governing the conservation of biological natural resources and their ecosystems.

WS, an instructor trainer with AIDA International, was detained at Sultan Hasanuddin International Airport in Makassar on September 14 while attempting to fly to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. He had previously been placed on a subject-of-interest list, allowing authorities to monitor his movements via the SPPI application. The investigation follows the circulation of a social media video showing a diver allegedly spearfishing a turtle in Raja Ampat. WS had entered Indonesia on a visa on arrival for tourism purposes.