Australian High Commission
Malaysia
High Commission address: 6 Jalan Yap Kwan Seng, Kuala Lumpur - Telephone: 2146 5555 - Fax: 2141 5773

Another Indonesian Jailed Sends Strong Message
on People Smuggling

KUALA LUMPUR 20 April 2009 – Australian High Commissioner to Malaysia, Penny Williams, said the jailing of an 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 recently, follows the six-year and five-year jail sentences received by two Indonesian skippers earlier this year. The sentence reinforces the message that those found guilty face 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 19 November last year. The boat had been holed, was flooding fast and sinking when the Royal Australian 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 6 October 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 29 September last year.

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

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