JAILING INDONESIAN FOR SMUGGLING PEOPLE SENDS STRONG MESSAGE

Jakarta, March 6 (ANTARA) - Australian Minister for Home Affairs Bob Debus and Minister for Immigration and Citizenship Senator Chris Evans said the six-year jail term handed down to an Indonesian skipper convicted of people smuggling sent a strong message that Australia would not tolerate those involved in such crime.
Debus said the Western Australian District Court sentencing Abdul Hamid reinforced the message that those found guilty faced severe punishment, an Australian embassy media release said here on Friday.
Abdul Hamid, 35, was sentenced to six years in jail after pleading guilty to smuggling 12 people into Australia. The Royal Australian Navy intercepted his boat near Ashmore Reef on September 29 last year.
"People smuggling is a crime that exploits vulnerable people during times of desperation and demonstrates a callous disregard for the law," Debus said.
"The Australian Government has maintained extensive patrolling of our borders by Border Protection Command and organisers, skippers and crews of people smuggling ventures face long jail terms if caught and convicted." he said.
The maximum penalty for the offence of organising to bring a group of five or more non-citizens into Australia contrary to section 232A of the Migration Act 1958 is 20 years' imprisonment.
Senator Evans said the Australian Government will continue to work with regional partners to deal with issues involving irregular migration and people smugglers.
"The Government has renewed efforts to work closely with regional countries including Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand to prevent and deter people from attempting to enter Australia unlawfully," Senator Evans said.
"The Rudd Government has also consistently made clear its commitment to maintain a system of mandatory detention and excision."
Senator Evans held talks on people smuggling with his Indonesian counterpart in Jakarta this week and will attend the Bali Process ministerial meeting next month to work towards strengthening regional borders against people smuggling, terrorism and other forms of transnational crime.***5***