TEMPO.CO, Makassar - The safety document owned by KM Lestari Maju boat had been expired for more than a year. Based on the finding, Directorate of Special Criminal of South Sulawesi Police named the ship`s owner Hendra Yuwonodan as the suspect and arrested him.
“The document should’ve been updated so from which the feasibility of the boat can be known,” said South Sulawesi spokesperson Sr. Comr. Dicky Sondani today, July 11.
Dicky said the ship’s owner was charged with Article 359 of Criminal Law on negligence that caused casualties and Article 310 subsidies to Article 135 of Law No. 17/2010 on sailing. “It’s based on investigation result towards the suspect,” said Dicky.
Earlier, the police named two suspects, namely Bira Port officer Kuat Maryanto and the boat captain Agus Susanto.
Read: Number of KM Lestari Maju Passengers Differs than Manifest
However, the investigation on the incident that claimed 36 lives was still afoot. “The suspects may increase,” he added.
Aside from that, Hendra, who was stayed in Jakarta, employed unskilled five crews as they did not have certifications.
South Sulawesi Police’s Special Criminal Director Sr. Comr. Yudhiawan Wibisono mentioned the captain and port officer on duty were responsible for departing overloaded ship of KM Lestari Maju. He would also summon the regional government for statements regarding the shipping permit.
“We will call [regional official] next week, and that possible to name more suspects,” Yudhiawan said.
DIDIT HARIYADI
