Indonesians feared being taken hostage
Published on: Tuesday, September 17, 2019
By: Lagatah Toyos
Commander of PPM Region 4, ACP Mohamad Pajeri Ali (right) talking with the rescued trio after handing them over to Indonesian authorities.
TAWAU: Three Indonesians that drifted to Sipadan Island while travelling to Sg Nyamuk, Indonesia due to damaged boat engine on Tuesday, admitted they feared being abducted after they were found stranded in the country’s waters.Boat owner Taluddin Kobbi, 46, was grateful to be rescued by the Semporna Marine Police Force (PPM) after about 24 hours in the high seas in the wake of high tides, strong winds and limited visibility due to haze.
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“We are scared because we do not know where we really are ... We just pray to Allah and hope we are finally safe,” he said, added that the incident was his first experience of a lifetime.
The fishing activity area has been explored for seven years, it is located around the Tarakan, Lunu and Moro Bolong areas.
Taluddin, who is from Tarakan, said he and his son, Jumriadi, 23, along with a mechanic, Herison Kawihing, 56, of Karang Baru, West Tarakan sailed at 4pm on Monday to Sg Mosquitoes from Tarakan.
“We sailed to Sg Nyamuk to retrieve a car engine, not to fish ... however, around 11pm, there was damage to the boat engine and my son helped me so the repair can done,” he said.
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He said while repairing the engine, the boat was heading elsewhere and thought they were heading towards Tawau when they saw the light before finding out they were in Semporna waters.
He said around 4am, they saw an island and sought assistance from the Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM), including requesting shelter assistance to repair the damaged engine.
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