Plugging the Tin Leak

The three warships have been circling in the waters of Bangka-Belitung for the past month. The three shipsKRI 727 Pulau Rangsang, KRI 816 Warakas and KRI Kraitarrived from their bases in Natuna on orders given by Col. Hendra Kusuma, commander of the Bangka-Belitung Navy Base. They arrived at the tail end of June, coinciding with a visit by President Joko Widodo.

The President was there to demand an end to illegal mining and tin exports, as they were damaging the environment and triggering state losses. Hendra greeted him by preparing men to help combat the rampant tin smuggling at sea. "We are awaiting orders," he told Tempo last week.

July 28, 2015