Investigators for the Bali Water and Aviation Police (Polairud), together with the Bali Provincial Police, have officially named two people as suspects in the off-shore sinking at Sanur Beach of the Kebo Iwa Express – an inter-island fast ferry.
As reported by Kompas.com and Nusabali.com, the two men now facing criminal prosecution are the boat’s captain I Wayan Sania (44), and the company’s general manager, identified by only his initials – MA (29).
The Director of Bali’s Polairud, Commission Soelistijono, said the two men’s indictment was announced on Wednesday, 08 February 2023, following a careful review of witness statements, documents, and interviews with shipping experts.
Soelistijono added that police are still developing their investigation to determine if others will also be charged. Police confirmed that the two men had not been taken into police custody because the subject crimes carry maximum penalties of less than five years.
The ship’s captain and the company manager are suspected of violating Section 302 of the Indonesian Criminal Code of 2007 (KUHP) on Shipping, which carries a maximum penalty of four years, or Sections 199 and 55, which can be punished with six months imprisonment.
The Kebo Iwa Express carried 23 passengers and six crew when it sank on 03 January 2023 while returning from Nusa Penida to Sanur Beach. The mishap had no casualties, with all passengers and crew rescued by local fishermen and delivered safely to shore.
The ship’s operator has reportedly compensated passengers who lost personal property in the sinking.
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