Indonesia Considers Criminal Charges in Raja Ampat Turtle Hunting Case

Foreign Diver Faces Possible Criminal Case Over Alleged Turtle Hunting in Raja Ampat

Tempatdonasi.com – Indonesian authorities are weighing criminal action against a foreign national identified as WS following allegations of turtle hunting in the protected marine environment of Raja Ampat, Southwest Papua. The case has drawn attention to the legal consequences facing visitors accused of harming protected wildlife in one of Indonesia’s best-known ocean conservation areas.

WS was stopped by immigration officials at Sultan Hasanuddin International Airport in Makassar, South Sulawesi, on September 14, 2026, while preparing to board a flight for Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. He was subsequently transferred to Sorong for questioning in connection with the alleged incident.

Authorities Examine Criminal Provisions

Immigration Director General Hendarsam Marantoko said the government is coordinating with police to determine which legal provisions should be used. Officials are considering both immigration-related criminal rules and legislation on the conservation of biological natural resources and ecosystems.

“We will coordinate with the police to determine the appropriate formulation. In principle, we will examine it, and it appears the case should enter the criminal sphere,” Hendarsam said on Friday, September 18, 2026.

The potential move would take the matter beyond an administrative immigration penalty. Such sanctions can involve measures affecting a foreign visitor’s immigration status, while a criminal investigation would focus on whether protected wildlife laws were violated.

Hendarsam stressed earlier in the week that foreign nationals who breach Indonesian regulations, especially by causing damage or disruption to wildlife and nature conservation, should receive sanctions that reflect the seriousness of the violation.

Travel Monitoring Led to Airport Detention

Before the airport arrest, immigration authorities had placed WS on a subject-of-interest list. The designation enabled officers to follow his travel movements through the SPPI application, allowing them to intervene when he attempted to leave the country.

“We put him on the subject-of-interest list and monitored his movements through our SPPI application. When he tried to leave Makassar, immigration officers detained him and took him to Sorong Immigration Office for investigation,” Hendarsam said.

The Raja Ampat district government had requested that WS be prevented from departing Indonesia so that law-enforcement procedures could continue. His immigration records show that he entered Indonesia on a visa on arrival intended for tourism.

Authorities identified WS as Wei Shang. He holds a membership card from AIDA International, an international freediving organization. The card describes him as an instructor trainer and lists its validity through 2025.

Video Prompted Wildlife Investigation

The investigation began after footage circulated on social media appearing to show a diver using a spear to hunt what looked like a turtle in Raja Ampat waters. Police have been examining whether the activity involved the hunting and killing of protected wildlife.

Southwest Papua police stated that the alleged event took place near the Pam Islands, also called the Fam Islands, between September 8 and September 11, 2026. The islands are part of the Raja Ampat area, where marine ecosystems and wildlife are central to the region’s environmental significance and visitor appeal.

Turtles are vulnerable to a range of pressures, including illegal capture, habitat disturbance, and trade. The allegations in this case therefore raise issues extending beyond the conduct of one traveler: they concern the protection of wildlife in waters that support tourism, local communities, and marine biodiversity.

For visitors, the case is a reminder that tourism permission does not exempt anyone from Indonesian conservation laws. Activities undertaken underwater, including fishing or collecting wildlife, may carry legal consequences when they involve protected species or restricted locations.

Raja Ampat’s Conservation Stakes

Raja Ampat is internationally recognized for its marine scenery, diving locations, and ecological richness. Its waters attract divers, freedivers, photographers, and other tourists seeking close encounters with reef life. That popularity also creates a need for strict compliance with rules designed to prevent wildlife disturbance and environmental damage.

Indonesia has previously acted against wildlife-related offenses involving marine turtles. In another recent enforcement effort, authorities addressed the smuggling of 1,950 sea turtle eggs that were intended to be sent to Malaysia. Cases involving animals, eggs, or other protected natural resources can require cooperation among immigration agencies, police, regional authorities, and conservation enforcement bodies.

The proceedings involving WS remain focused on determining the applicable legal basis and reviewing the alleged conduct. Immigration authorities and police are expected to continue coordinating as the investigation develops.

For Raja Ampat, the case underscores the importance of responsible tourism in sensitive marine areas. Visitors are expected to observe local restrictions, respect protected species, and avoid activities that could endanger wildlife or undermine conservation efforts.