Manggarai Barat Police End Yacht Theft Case Through Restorative Justice

Labuan Bajo — Police in Manggarai Barat, East Nusa Tenggara, have ended criminal proceedings against two young fishermen accused of stealing valuables from an Australian tourist’s yacht in Komodo National Park, after the case was settled through restorative justice at the victim’s request, according to the district water police chief.

The case, which attracted national coverage in Indonesia in September 2025, involved two suspects identified as MI, 18, and AS, 17, both residents of Gorontalo Village in Komodo District who work as fishermen.

According to statements by Manggarai Barat’s Water and Air Police (Satpolairud) chief AKP Dimas Yusuf Fadhillah Rahmanto reported by several Indonesian outlets, the two were initially investigated under Article 363(1) of Indonesia’s Criminal Code on aggravated theft, which carries a maximum prison sentence of seven years.

Incident at Manta Point

Reports from Detik Bali and other Indonesian media state that the theft occurred on Friday, 5 September 2025, while an Australian family were snorkeling at Manta Point in Komodo waters.

The yacht, described as a private vessel belonging to a family from Australia, was anchored in the Komodo National Park area when the suspects allegedly approached by small fishing boat, initially appearing to be catching fish near the yacht.

Police accounts cited in local media say that while the family were in the water, the suspects boarded the yacht and took jewelry and other items from inside the vessel.

Property taken and arrests

According to reporting based on police information, the main valuables taken were a platinum necklace and titanium rings with diamond settings, described as wedding or engagement rings, with Indonesian outlets estimating their combined value at around Rp 500 million.

Police also reported seizing several other items linked to the incident, including:

• Three hats, one Yamaha guitar and one jacket
• One earphone, a diving flashlight and other personal effects
• A hammer and the small boat allegedly used in the approach to the yacht

Local media citing Satpolairud Manggarai Barat state that officers traced the suspects after receiving information that a fishing boat was carrying a guitar believed to be among the missing items.

Investigators from the water police unit then moved to Gorontalo Village and arrested MI and AS on the coast on Sunday, 7 September 2025, securing the suspects and the reported evidence.

Police statements quoted in Indonesian reports say the two initially denied involvement but later admitted to the theft during questioning after officers presented the recovered items.

Restorative justice and current status

In late September 2025, AKP Dimas Yusuf Fadhillah Rahmanto told Indonesian media that the criminal case would not proceed to court because it had been resolved through restorative justice following a request from the victim.

According to those reports, the Australian tourist had returned home and chose not to continue the legal process, allowing police to close the case under restorative justice mechanisms that emphasize compensation and reconciliation rather than prosecution.

Police said the two youths were no longer facing trial but remained subject to mandatory reporting requirements and guidance by Satpolairud Manggarai Barat as part of the restorative-justice outcome, without publicly specifying the duration or detailed terms of those measures.

The case has been highlighted in Indonesian coverage as an example of restorative justice applied in a cross-border tourism-related crime in Komodo National Park, balancing the interests of a foreign visitor with local community considerations for young first-time offenders.

Sources

• Detik Bali – Kronologi 2 Nelayan Curi Perhiasan Turis Australia Rp 500 Juta di Labuan Bajo
• Suara Nusantara – Dua Remaja Asal Gorontalo, Terduga Pelaku Pencurian Barang Milik WNA Diringkus Polisi
• IDN Times NTB – Barang Berharga Turis Australia Dicuri di Labuan Bajo, Kerugian Rp500 Juta
• Merdeka.com – Fakta Unik Kasus Pencurian Barang WNA di Labuan Bajo: Diselesaikan dengan Restorative Justice