Lessons from Indonesia — Hargesh B. Singh — Opinion

Lessons from Indonesia

September 14, 2026·3 min read

Published in

Kaieteur News ·Sep 14, 2026

Dear Editor,

Unfortunate, but in some ways, quite revealing, came the news that “Six died, and 107 rescued from the Indonesian ferry, Virgo Transport 8, that went missing in the Java Sea” over the weekend. It is a given that any tragedy is deemed so because it is an unwelcome incident. And as regard being revelatory, it sheds light on the recent Guyana MV Barima Tragedy^[1] that has evoked a thunderous condemnation on the People’s Progressive Party Government, and by extension, judgment and sentence have been meted out (instead of allowing for a thorough investigation of the ‘cause’).

My first observation is that a well-coordinated ‘search and rescue’ operation was launched immediately, and is still ongoing over this Virgo Transport 8 ship, which was carrying 243 people, as it encountered bad weather. That is, human nature clicked in, which is a ‘collective empathy’ and not political capitalisation of any sort, as was the case in Guyana.

Secondly, all the search and rescue operations are being coordinated singularly by Basarnas, Indonesia’s National Search and Rescue Agency. For sure, many volunteers are in the mix, but nothing is ‘mixed up’ as all efforts are well-channelled, as Basarnas is directing the overall deployment of rescue ships, helicopters, and dive teams. This is about ‘best practices’ when disasters strike.

Thirdly, the public has not overdriven in to condemning specific individuals, as the main focus is on the ongoing rescue efforts. Instead, the nation’s sentiments are saturated by grief and anxiety. The immediate response shows the general populace, steeped in distraught, convening and hoping for some news regarding the many missing. Being together is a sign of reciprocal care and comfort. I did not see so far, any opportunistic politician seeking to capitalise.

The catastrophe, after all, is still so raw and therefore the political landscape in Indonesia remains transfixed, with all concentrating and cooperating in crisis management and humanitarian responses. As I follow, I note that the singular focus is that of commiseration, as it should be. I see that all the political personalities, from both government and opposition factions are publicly backing Basarnas and military deployment. To start competing operations and hurl criticism show ulterior motive. There should be no place for the weaponisation of grief or exploiting a crisis. Political profiteering, when human lives are at stake, is downright cruel, not just silly.

In terms of actual ministerial management, the country’s transportation minister Dudy Purwagandhi “… immediately traveled to the operational center in Banjarmasin to lead briefings and supervise the search.”^[2] Commendable was the administration’s rapid presence on the ground, and this precluded room for opponents to claim the executive branch is being negligent or detached. Yet in Guyana, many were propelled into the exact opposite.

Finally, I note that police have begun their technical investigations, since there is going to be a public call for formal accountability from the ship operators, all the way up to the relevant overseeing bodies. This is vital to note: no official responsibility has been yet assigned, as Indonesia’s directorate general of Sea Transportation and National Transport Safety Committee are currently investigating the cause^[3].

In Guyana, the administration has gone one step higher and better, as President Ali has already launched his Commission of Inquiry (COI)^[4], that is independent and internationally coloured.

As per norm, and as it is in Guyana now, the probe in Indonesia will look into whether or not the crew or operators properly adhered to safety protocols and weather warnings before or during the journey.

In the end, if an official investigation concludes that human factors caused the Virgo Transport 8 tragedy, Indonesian laws and legal precedent will redound to the ship’s captain being the first person to face criminal charges. Under Indonesian maritime law and past disaster precedents, liability typically rolls out in the following sequential order: The Captain, The Shipping Company Executives and Port Authority Officials.

Yours truly,
Hargesh B. Singh

References

MV Barima Inquiry: Latest Updates and Findings - Ignite News — ignitenews.com ↩
With 129 People Still Missing, Why Is the Search for Virgo Transport 8 So Difficult? — www.kompas.id ↩
Minister Commits to Thorough Review of KM Virgo Transport 8 Incident - RRI.co.id — rri.co.id ↩
Barima COI opens, as salvage questions linger - Kaieteur News — kaieteurnewsonline.com ↩

Published in

Kaieteur News ·Sep 14, 2026

One dead, 102 rescued after Indonesian ferry goes missing in Java Sea | Shipping News | Al Jazeera

www.aljazeera.com · 2026-09-13

# One dead, 102 rescued after Indonesian ferry goes missing in Java Sea | Shipping News | Al Jazeera Author: AFP , AP and Reuters Published: 2026-09-13T06:36:40+00:00 Source: Al Jazeera (aljazeera.com) Language: en ## Story One dead, 102 rescued after Indonesian ferry goes missing in Java Sea | Shipping News | Al Jazeera # One dead, 102 rescued after Indonesian ferry goes missing in Java Sea Search and rescue operation ongoing after Virgo Transport 8, with 243 people on board, lost contact with its operator. Relatives of passengers of the Virgo Transport 8 ferry wait for updates as a search and rescue agency officer writes on a whiteboard in Banjarmasin, South Kalimantan, Indonesia, September 13, 2026 [INFUZ via AFP] By AFP, AP and Reuters Published On 13 Sep 2026 13 Sep 2026 One person has died and 102 have been evacuated from an Indonesian passenger ferry that lost contact in the Java Sea during a storm, an official said. The Virgo Transport 8, with 243 people on board, lost contact with its operator in the early hours of Sunday, according to Indonesia’s search and rescue agency. It had sailed from Surabaya on the Indonesian island of Java on Saturday and was heading for Banjarmasin, a port city on Borneo. Rescuers are searching for the remaining passengers and crew. The ship encountered rough weather, said I Putu Sudayana, head of the local search and rescue office in Banjarmasin. The ferry’s last known position was in the Java Sea, about 81 nautical miles (150km) from Banjarmasin, the AFP news agency reported. Rescue ships and a helicopter have been searching the area, where Sudayana said waves as high as 2.5 metres (8.2 feet) have hampered the operation. “It is extremely risky for vessels. Even our Basarnas vessel, which is 40 metres [131 feet] long, is at great risk,” Sudayana told reporters, referring to the country’s search and rescue agency. Last month, a fire on a ferry sailing between Bali and Lombok killed one person and left five missing. In July, a ferry carrying more than 70 people sank near Selayar Island, south of Sulawesi.

MV Barima Inquiry: Latest Updates and Findings - Ignite News

ignitenews.com · 2026-09-02

MV Barima Inquiry: Latest Updates and Findings - Ignite News ... Commission of Inquiry into MV Barima tragedy calls for witnesses, public hearing to commence before month’s end ... September 2, 2026 4 min ... The Commission of Inquiry into the MV Barima tragedy has opened its doors to witnesses and evidence from the public, government bodies and international organisations, as it aims to begin public hearings before the month is out. In a notice issued on Wednesday, the Commission invited anyone with knowledge, relevant information or recommendations to contact the Office of the Secretariat, headed by Secretary Javed Shadick. The Commission was established by the President of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana under Section 2 of the Commissions of Inquiry Act, Chapter 19:03, with a Chairman and four other Commissioners appointed to inquire into the marine casualty involving the vessel on the night of July 18. Its objectives include conducting a thorough, independent, impartial and comprehensive public inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the capsizing and sinking of the Barima, the loss of life and the response to the tragedy. The Commission is also tasked with establishing the full facts and sequence of events, determining the causes of the casualty, identifying shortcomings or failures, assessing compliance with safety requirements, recommending accountability where warranted and proposing reforms to strengthen maritime safety. While the Commission may have regard to internationally recognised marine casualty investigation standards, its mandate extends beyond a safety investigation to public accountability, institutional performance and reform. Following their appointment on July 30, the Commissioners immediately began preparatory work, including designing a framework for the Commission’s workflow. The Commission has completed a preliminary in-person survey of the accident site, secured a venue for public hearings at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre and established its Secretariat for administrative, research and logistical support. Work is ongoing to acquire data from public institutions likely to hold relevant information, including MARAD, the Transport and Harbours Division, the Guyana Coast Guard and the Air Guard, in accordance with international maritime conventions and the Guyana Shipping Act, a release said. The release noted that the Commission has also begun a preliminary analysis of documentation received regarding the seaworthiness of the Barima, including the conditions under which it sailed and crew operations during the voyage. It added that a list of potential witnesses has been compiled, with a preliminary interview schedule in preparation, while Rules of Procedure governing the Commission’s work are in the final phase of completion and will be published shortly. The Commission said it recognises the immense public interest in the circumstances surrounding the tragedy and is committed to conducting its work independently, impartially, thoroughly and expeditiously. It considers it essential that technical, documentary and witness evidence be properly identified and assessed before public hearings begin, to ensure proceedings are efficiently conducted, while stressing that all persons with relevant information must have a fair opportunity to contribute. A dedicated website is also being developed to serve as the Commission’s single authoritative public record. The Commission said it continues to prepare the necessary groundwork for the hearings and will provide further details on their commencement, conduct and schedule once finalised.

With 129 People Still Missing, Why Is the Search for Virgo Transport 8 So Difficult?

www.kompas.id · 2026-09-14

"Of the 114, 108 people survived and 6 people died. The missing victims are still being searched for," said Minister of Transportation Dudy Purwagandhi in a press release at Trisakti Port, Banjarmasin, South Kalimantan, on Monday. ... However, searching for those still missing is not an easy process. The search and rescue (SAR) team faces several challenges. The head of the National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas), Air Marshal Mohammad Syafii, said the crash site is 80 nautical miles (NM) from the port in Banjarmasin. This distance is equivalent to 148 kilometers. ... passenger capacity for this ship is around ... 500 ... . So, it ... s still far from its ... said Dudy ... "Of the 114, 108 people survived and 6 people died. The missing victims are still being searched for," said Minister of Transportation Dudy Purwagandhi in a press release at Trisakti Port, Banjarmasin, South Kalimantan, on Monday. ... However, searching for those still missing is not an easy process. The search and rescue (SAR) team faces several challenges. The head of the National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas), Air Marshal Mohammad Syafii, said the crash site is 80 nautical miles (NM) from the port in Banjarmasin. This distance is equivalent to 148 kilometers. ... "The passenger capacity for this ship is around 500 people. So, it's still far from its maximum capacity," said Dudy.

Minister Commits to Thorough Review of KM Virgo Transport 8 Incident - RRI.co.id

rri.co.id · 2026-09-14

# Minister Commits to Thorough Review of KM Virgo Transport 8 Incident - RRI.co.id Author: Alfian Risfil Published: 2026-09-14T07:06:00+07:00 Source: rri.co.id (rri.co.id) Language: en ## Story Minister Commits to Thorough Review of KM Virgo Transport 8 Incident - RRI.co.id # Minister Commits to Thorough Review of KM Virgo Transport 8 Incident - 14 Sep 2026 07:06 WIB - Voice of Indonesia - Oleh - Alfian Risfil, - Editor - Lasti Martina-EN ###### Key Points - The government has tasked KNKT with conducting a thorough and independent investigation into the KM Virgo Transport 8 accident. - As of Sunday, SAR teams evacuated 113 passengers (107 survivors, six fatalities), while 130 others remain missing in the Masalembo waters. - Waves striking the vessel’s starboard side are believed to have caused KM Virgo Transport 8 to list before the accident. Joint personnel evacuate a passenger from ferry KM Virgo Transport 8, who had been rescued by MV Haida, at Trisakti Port in Banjarmasin, South Kalimantan, on Sunday, September 13, 2026. (Photo: Antara/Bayu Pratama S.) RRI.CO.ID, Banjarmasin - Transportation Minister Dudy Purwagandhi emphasized that the government will conduct a thorough investigation into the accident involving KM Virgo Transport 8, which was carrying 243 people--consisting of 213 passengers and 30 crew members--when it encountered trouble in the Masalembo waters of the Java Sea on Sunday, September 13, 2026. “The process will be carried out by the National Transportation Safety Committee (KNKT) in accordance with its mandate,” Minister Dudy said during a press conference at Trisakti Port, Banjarmasin, on Sunday, September 13, 2026. He called on all parties to allow KNKT to conduct the investigation professionally and independently. The investigation, he stressed, will rely on data and facts to determine the cause of the accident objectively. According to him, KNKT’s findings will form the basis for evaluating and improving transportation safety operations. The results and contributing factors are expected to strengthen safety standards and prevent similar incidents in the future. “The Ministry of Transportation, together with all stakeholders, continues to oversee the handling of this incident until all stages are completed,” he said. Minister Dudy also expressed his condolences to the victims’ families and assured that the government and related agencies will continue overseeing the response, including search and rescue operations and the handling of all victims. KM Virgo Transport 8 reportedly lost contact in the Java Sea on Sunday at around 2 p.m. local time. The vessel had departed Surabaya for Banjarmasin on Saturday, September 12. Waves striking the vessel’s starboard side were cited as one of the causes of the ship’s listing before the accident occurred. The National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) Deputy for Operations and Preparedness Edy Prakoso conveyed this information in Jakarta on Sunday. “According to the Virgo’s captain, the listing was caused by waves hitting the starboard side,” Edy said. Basarnas intensified search-and-rescue operations by deploying air assets and joint SAR vessels. By Sunday, the joint SAR team had evacuated 113 passengers--107 survivors and six fatalities. Meanwhile, 130 passengers remained unaccounted for at the scene. Basarnas stated it would maximize search and rescue efforts for the missing victims. A total of 15 sea and air assets have been deployed, consisting of 11 vessels, one helicopter, and three aircraft, to search for victims in the Masalembo waters of the Java Sea. (Misni Parjiati) 📍 Jl. Medan Merdeka Barat No.4-5, Jakarta Pusat. 📞 +6221 350 0584, +6221 351 1086 📩 Pemberitaan: beritapro3@rri.go.id

Barima COI opens, as salvage questions linger - Kaieteur News

kaieteurnewsonline.com · 2026-09-03

## Barima COI opens, as salvage questions linger Sep 03, 2026 News ... (Kaieteur News) – The Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the disastrous capsizing and sinking of the M/V Barima has formally opened its doors to the public, inviting survivors, victims’ families, civil society and others with relevant information to submit evidence as preparations intensify for public hearings later this month. ... The commission, established by President Irfaan Ali under Section 2 of the Commissions of Inquiry Act, Chapter 19:03, is chaired by Justice Godfrey Phillip Smith and includes Commissioners Dr. Andrzej Jasionowski, Captain Hamada Fouda, Nyree Dawn Alfonso and Rear Admiral (Ret’d) Hayden Pritchard. ... According to a public notice issued by Commission Secretary Javed Shadick, the inquiry is mandated to conduct a “thorough, independent, impartial and comprehensive public inquiry” into the circumstances surrounding the capsizing and sinking of the M/V Barima, the loss of life, the response to the disaster and all matters reasonably connected to it. ... In an update issued on Wednesday, the commission said that since the commissioners were appointed and sworn in on July 30, it has conducted an initial in-person survey of the accident scene, secured the Arthur Chung Conference Centre at Liliendaal for public hearings and established its secretariat. ... compiling witness lists, drafting rules of procedure and developing a dedicated website through which official records and information will be made available to the public. ... It has urged anyone with relevant information, documentation or recommendations to contact the secretariat at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, Liliendaal, East Coast Demerara, or via presidentialcommissiongy@gmail.com and WhatsApp at 592-674-7473. ... The panel said the preliminary assessments of technical and witness evidence are necessary before formal hearings begin later this month, while thanking the public for its patience as the groundwork continues. ... While the CoI’s latest update was silent on the recovery of the sunken ferry, the government has previously said that the procurement process for salvaging the vessel is advancing. ... President Ali recently disclosed that the Expression of Interest (EOI) period had closed and that several companies were being shortlisted before being invited to submit prices for the recovery operation. ... “I think on Friday, the expression of interest would have closed. They have received a number of expressions of interest,” Ali said. “Those interests are being shortlisted now by the agency, and then those shortlisted entities will be invited to supply prices to have the vessel salvaged.” ... The salvage operation is unfolding against the backdrop of mounting calls for political accountability following the July 18 disaster. ... Ali has previously said that any administrative or executive action regarding calls for the removal or suspension of Minister of Public Works Juan Edghill and Minister of Public Utilities and Aviation Deodat Indar will depend on the findings and recommendations of the CoI. ... Speaking at a press conference, the president said he would not interfere with or prejudge the work of the independent inquiry. ... “An independent CoI has been established to determine everything that you’re speaking about,” Ali said, adding that the commission would make its determinations and recommendations before his administration decides what action should follow. ... He said the Government would, however, continue taking immediate measures necessary to address maritime safety while the inquiry is ongoing. ... The M/V Barima, an 87-year-old state-owned ferry, capsized and sank on July 18 while travelling from Georgetown to Port Kaituma, Region One. ... The disaster left 73 people confirmed dead, 76 rescued and at least 30 others still missing and feared dead, making it one of the deadliest maritime disasters in Guyana’s history.