JAKARTA – Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin recently commended law enforcement authorities for their successful apprehension of a Chinese national attempting to smuggle nickel at the Special Airport of PT Indonesia Weda Bay Industrial Park (IWIP) in Weda Bay, North Maluku, on Friday, December 5th. This decisive action underscores the Indonesian government’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding its valuable natural resources.
According to Sjafrie, in an official press release received in Jakarta on Saturday, the arrest serves as a clear demonstration of the government’s firm stance against illicit activities that exploit the nation’s rich mineral wealth. He further emphasized that the deployment of government security personnel at the IWIP airport is an integral part of this comprehensive strategy to protect Indonesia’s precious natural assets from irresponsible actors.
Sjafrie articulated the government’s resolve, stating, “The state is present to enforce law, enforce regulations, and we will rectify all the issues we have observed happening. There should be no republic within a republic.” This powerful statement highlights the commitment to national sovereignty and the rule of law, ensuring that no entity operates outside of governmental oversight and legal frameworks.
Consequently, Sjafrie assured that the IWIP airport, along with all other private airports that previously operated with minimal supervision, will now be rigorously secured. This proactive measure is specifically designed to prevent future instances of natural resource smuggling, reinforcing the government’s determination to combat illegal trade at its various entry and exit points.
The arrest itself was carried out by the IWIP Airport Integrated Task Force, which apprehended a foreign national identified only by the initials MY. The individual was found in possession of five packs of nickel powder and four packs of pure nickel powder. MY was detained by officers while attempting to board a Super Air Jet flight destined for Manado (MDC) from Weda Bay (WDB).
While specific details regarding the chronology of the arrest or the suspect’s motive have not been disclosed, MY remains in custody and is currently undergoing interrogation by authorities for further investigation. This ongoing inquiry is expected to uncover more insights into the smuggling attempt.
It is important to note that the enhanced supervision at IWIP airport, involving various government elements, is a direct follow-up to a significant government directive issued on November 29, 2025. This move was necessitated by the fact that the IWIP airport, despite being operational since 2019, lacked strict government security protocols and oversight, creating potential vulnerabilities.
To address this critical gap, the government has established and deployed an Integrated Task Force. This robust force comprises personnel from several key agencies, including the TNI Security Task Force, Customs, Immigration, the National Police, Fish, Animal, and Plant Quarantine, Health Quarantine, BMKG (Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency), AirNav Indonesia, and Avsec. Their collective presence is aimed at significantly tightening security across the entire airport area, transforming it into an impregnable fortress against illegal activities and ensuring the integrity of Indonesia’s valuable natural resources.
Summary
An integrated task force successfully apprehended a Chinese national, identified as MY, attempting to smuggle nickel powder at the PT IWIP Special Airport in Weda Bay, North Maluku, on December 5th. Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin commended the arrest, asserting the Indonesian government’s firm commitment to safeguarding its natural resources and enforcing the rule of law. This incident underscores the government’s resolve against illicit activities exploiting the nation’s mineral wealth.
Following this incident, Minister Sjafrie assured that the IWIP airport and other private airports will now be rigorously secured, with enhanced supervision implemented. This measure, a direct follow-up to a government directive issued on November 29, 2025, addresses previous vulnerabilities where the airport lacked strict government security since 2019. An Integrated Task Force, involving multiple agencies, has been deployed to tighten security and combat illegal trade, ensuring the integrity of Indonesia’s valuable resources.