- Antara/ Ahmad Subaidi
VIVAnews - Gowa Police, South Sulawesi picked up 14 Myanmar citizens from a house belonging to Ariyanti, in Anti Tonro Permai housing complex, Somba Opu subdistrict on Thursday, Dec 22.
When police raided the house, the 14 immigrants failed to show any of their identity cards.
One of the immigrants, Jamal, said that they have been in Makassar for four days. They were planning to gain entrance to Australia through Bau-bau, Southeast Sulawesi.
"We'd like to call for asylum from [the Australian government]," Jamal said.
However, the immigrants were intercepted by the local authorities before they could reach Bau-bau.
"We were getting ready to depart to Kendari before continuing our trip to Australia," he said.
Meanwhile, Chief of Police Crime Investigator in Gowa, Adj. Comm. Syamsul Yusuf, said the apprehension was led by reports filed by the locals living near Ariyanti's residence.
When police hit the scene, they spotted the immigrants without having revealed anything suspicious in their bags.
After going through questioning, the immigrants were brought to a detention house in Bolangi village, Gowa regency.
Arianti was also questioned by the police. She was charged with Law No. 6/2011 on immigration with possible maximum penalty of five years in jail.
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Coverage by: RHA | Makassar
