Magistrate: Investigate, prosecute border crime

By CLIFFORD FAIPARIK
WEST Sepik magistrate Sasa Inkung is concerned about cases of criminals plying their illegal activities along the border with Indonesia which are not properly investigated and prosecuted.
Inkung raised his concern in the Vanimo District Court yesterday after an Indonesian appeared charged with illegal entry, while the two men who were caught smuggling him across the border were set free by police.
Inkung fined Gacob Subrianto, 45, from Java, Indonesia, K3000 in default of six months imprisonment, for illegally crossing the border on Dec 9.
“He was hiding in a company vehicle crossing the border at Wutung.
He was arrested at a Papua New Guinea Defence Force checkpoint about 300km from the border, accompanied by two Vanimo-based Asians.
The Asians are employed with a company based in Vanimo.
Inkung said the solders had stopped the vehicle and ordered the two Asians out of the vehicle for questioning.
“However, the soldiers became suspicious when the two became nervous and were talking in a confused manner,” he said.
“The soldiers then searched the vehicle and discovered Subrianto hiding in the vehicle.
“They discovered that he had no entry documents and arrested him.”
Magistrate Inkung said although the police charged Subrianto, they did not arrest or charge the two men who had brought him.
“He could have easily be in PNG now if the soldiers did not arrest him,” he said.
“Also the penalty of six months imprisonment for illegal entry has to be reviewed to (have) a much tougher penalty.”
Inkung said Subrianto was still in detention at Vanimo prison because the Government accounts had closed.
So he could not pay the fine although he has the money.
“He has to wait until next year January when the public accounts are open.”