Merauke Regency Awaits Full Report on Fishing Boat Shooting in PNG Waters

The Merauke Regency government in South Papua is still awaiting a comprehensive report regarding the shooting incident involving the fishing vessel KMN Sardi Utama 02 in Papua New Guinean waters. The incident, which occurred on June 9, 2026, led to the death of the ship's captain, Rizal.

“

We are still waiting for the report regarding the shooting that killed the ship's captain named Rizal.

Rekianus Samkakai, head of the Regional Border Management Agency for Merauke Regency, stated that detailed information about the exact chronology of the event has not yet been received. He confirmed ongoing coordination with relevant parties to obtain official information about the shooting that claimed the captain's life.

Initial reports indicate that the incident happened while KMN Sardi Utama 02 was operating in PNG waters. The perpetrators, described as about five individuals dressed in black and armed with firearms, reportedly took all communication devices from the crew before fleeing. The seven other crew members aboard KMN Sardi Utama 02 survived and returned to Merauke on June 20, 2026.

“

The perpetrators also took all the communication equipment of the crew, cell phones, and they were taken to the back of the ship.

The Merauke Regency government, through its Regional Border Management Agency, is actively communicating with the Indonesian Embassy in Port Moresby and the Indonesian Consulate in Vanimo. These efforts aim to ascertain the whereabouts of Captain Rizal's body and to obtain a full report on the incident.

“

We continue to coordinate with the Indonesian Embassy in Port Moresby and the Indonesian Consulate in Vanimo so that we can get a report regarding the whereabouts of the captain of KMN Sardi Utama 02.