Indonesia police name four suspects in Lake Toba boat accident

North Sumatra Police chief Insp. Gen. Paulus Waterpauw (center) gives a press statement on the naming of four suspects in the KM Sinar Bangun boat accident at the police’s headquarters in Medan on June 25. JAKARTA POST

SIMALUNGUN, Indonesia — The North Sumatra Police named on Monday four suspects in last week’s capsize of passenger vessel KM Sinar Bangun in Toba Lake, Simalungun regency, North Sumatra.

Three people died in the incident while 192 others remain missing.

The four suspects are Poltak Soritua Sagala, the owner of KM Sinar Bangun who was also the captain of the vessel; Samosir Transportation Agency non-permanent staff member Karnilan Sitanggang; Simanindo Port head Golpa F.Putra; and River and Lake Transportation (ASDP) head Rihad Sitanggang.

North Sumatra Police chief Paulus Waterpauw said investigators had found evidence pointing to the four suspects’ involvement in the incident.

“The suspects played a role in dispatching the vessel for their own benefit. They allowed the vessel to carry passengers exceeding its maximum capacity of 45 people, as stated in its shipping permit,” Paulus told journalists during a press conference at the North Sumatra Police headquarters in Medan, North Sumatra, on Monday.

The suspects have been charged with articles 302 and 303 of Law No.17/2008 on shipping and Article 359 of the Criminal Code (KUHP).

“They may face 10 years in prison and Rp 1.5 billion [US$ 106,026.18] in fines,” Paulus said.