A Chinese national identified as Wei Shang, also referred to by the initials WS, has been detained by Indonesian immigration authorities after allegedly hunting and consuming a protected sea turtle in the waters of Raja Ampat, Southwest Papua.
The foreign national was detained at Sultan Hasanuddin International Airport in Maros Regency, South Sulawesi, on Monday (14 September 2026), shortly before he was due to leave Indonesia for Kuala Lumpur.
“We have taken him into custody,” said Abdi Widodo Subagio, Head of the Makassar Class I Special Immigration Office, when asked for confirmation by detikcom on Tuesday (15 September).
According to Abdi, the allegations that WS had killed and consumed a protected animal came to the attention of authorities through posts on social media. The Raja Ampat Regency Government subsequently sent a request to the Makassar Immigration Office for WS to be detained.
“There was indeed a request from the Raja Ampat Regency Government,” Abdi said.
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Immigration Stops Departure to Kuala Lumpur
Immigration authorities detained WS after receiving information that he appeared to be preparing to leave Indonesia. His departure on AirAsia flight AK335 to Kuala Lumpur was prevented while authorities proceeded with enforcement measures.
“We detained the individual when it appeared he was about to travel on AirAsia flight AK335, bound for Kuala Lumpur from Makassar. This action was taken to ensure that law enforcement proceedings in Indonesia could be concluded first,” Abdi explained.
“The process of apprehending and detaining him at the airport proceeded safely, orderly, and smoothly, without any resistance,” he added.
Director General of Immigration Hendarsam Marantoko said foreign nationals who violate Indonesian regulations, particularly those whose activities affect the conservation of nature and wildlife, would be subject to appropriate sanctions.
“We certainly will not allow foreign nationals to act as they please in Indonesia without facing appropriate sanctions. We must uphold the nation’s dignity, in line with the spirit of ‘Immigration for the People,'” Hendarsam said, as quoted by Antara.
Immigration authorities said WS is a certified diving instructor. His detention followed preliminary information from the Raja Ampat National Unity and Politics Agency (Kesbangpol) and a formal request from the Deputy Regent of Raja Ampat to prevent him from leaving Indonesia.
“Sorong Immigration coordinated with Makassar Immigration to track down WS, who was observed travelling from Sorong to Makassar with plans to fly to Kuala Lumpur,” Hendarsam said.
After WS was located at Sultan Hasanuddin International Airport, the Immigration Intelligence and Enforcement Team (Inteldakim) went to the airport at around 17:00 WITA to detain him.
