Eyewitness – JAKARTA
The Directorate General of Immigration has handed over three Australian nationals, identified by the initials ZA, DTL, and JVD, to the Indonesian Attorney General’s Office to face trial. The handover follows the completion of their investigation files, officially declared complete (P-21) as of Wednesday (08/04/2026). The suspects were passengers on a flight that landed in Merauke, Papua, in November 2025 without valid travel documents or visas.
​Director of Immigration Supervision and Enforcement, Yuldi Yusman, explained that the case began on November 17, 2025, when a Piper PA 23-250 Aztec aircraft with registration number VH-EQD landed in Merauke.
​”The aircraft, piloted by JVD, reportedly departed from Cairns, Queensland, Australia. Before reaching Merauke, the plane made a transit stop at an unstaffed airstrip in Port Stewart, Queensland, to pick up ZA and DTL, both of whom lacked passports and Indonesian visas,” Yusman stated.
​During the investigation, the three suspects were held at the Salemba Detention Center in Central Jakarta. Upon the completion of the files, the suspects and evidence were transferred to the Merauke District Prosecutor’s Office for legal proceedings. In addition to the three Australians, an Indonesian pilot remains under investigation. Immigration authorities are also coordinating with the Australian government regarding the involvement of an aviation company, Stirling Helicopters, which has led to criminal proceedings against the company’s owner.
​ZA and DTL are charged under Article 119 Paragraph (1) of Law No. 6 of 2011 on Immigration for entering Indonesia without valid documents. Meanwhile, the pilot, JVD, faces multiple charges for his role in providing the means and assistance for the illegal entry.
​Director General of Immigration, Hendarsam Marantoko, emphasized that this law enforcement action is a vital measure in protecting the nation’s territorial sovereignty.
“The actions taken against these three Australian nationals serve as a powerful message: every foreign citizen entering Indonesian territory must comply with immigration regulations, including the possession of valid travel documents and visas,” he emphasized.
​Hendarsam noted that the successful exposure of this case was the result of cross-agency synergy, involving the National Police, the Attorney General’s Office, the Ministry of Transportation, and other relevant institutions.
​”In line with the spirit of Asta Cita, we will not tolerate any activities by foreign nationals that disrespect our sovereignty or undermine Indonesia’s national interests,” the Director General of Immigration concluded.
In the meantime three of Australian men according to Immigration law in Indonesia charges with 5 years in prison for entering Indonesian teritorrial without right document as they arrived. Next week the Attorney General officers with escort of police will bring them to prosecutor office in Merauke them make schedule for their hearing.
Reporter : Daniel Herry
