Aceh – Indonesia, The Maritime Police Directorate (Ditpolair) of the Indonesian National Police Security Maintenance Agency (Baharkam Polri) has named the captain of KM Virgo Transport 8, identified by the initials AY, as a suspect regarding the sinking of the vessel in the Java Sea. AY was immediately taken into custody.
Head of Sub-Directorate for Law Enforcement of Ditpolair Korpolairud Baharkam Polri, Senior Commissioner Kukuh Prabowo, stated that AY was detained for investigation purposes.
“Currently, we have temporarily named the captain as a suspect, and he has been detained,” he told media personnel in Jakarta on Wednesday (9/30/2026).
AY is being held at the South Kalimantan Regional Police detention center. Investigators have charged him under Article 302 paragraph (3) of Law Number 17 of 2008 concerning Shipping and/or Article 474 paragraph (3) juncto Article 20 of Law Number 1 of 2023 concerning the Criminal Code (KUHP).
Kukuh has not yet disclosed the detailed criminal allegations that formed the basis for naming AY a suspect. According to him, investigators are still conducting interrogations and further inquiries to identify other parties who can be held accountable in the case.
“The official release will wait until all interrogations are fully completed,” he said.
KM Virgo Transport 8 was carrying 243 passengers when it was reported to have lost contact in Masalembo waters, Java Sea, on Sunday (9/13) at around 02:00 WITA.
The vessel had previously sailed from Surabaya to Banjarmasin on Saturday (9/12/2026).
The handling of the ship sinking case was subsequently transferred from the South Kalimantan Regional Police to Ditpolair Korpolairud Baharkam Polri.
Head of the Indonesian National Police Public Relations Division, Inspector General Johnny Eddizon Isir, stated that the transfer is part of the ongoing case management, which from the beginning has been conducted in an integrated manner with relevant stakeholders.
In handling the case, the Maritime Police Directorate of the South Kalimantan Regional Police conducted a series of interrogations and further inquiries into parties related to the incident. Those questioned included the captain, surviving crew members (ABK), and other related parties.
“The investigation and inquiry are being conducted professionally by involving and coordinating with relevant stakeholders so that every fact found can become part of the legal proceedings in accordance with applicable legal provisions,” explained Isir.
Investigators are continuing their inquiry to uncover the sequence of events leading to the sinking of KM Virgo Transport 8 and to ensure the responsible parties are brought to justice based on the investigation results.
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