The Indonesian Navy found a truckload of used camouflage uniforms of the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) after they seized 19 trucks with smuggled goods on Wednesday.
The authorities said the SAF attire included the green digital or pixelated camouflage uniforms that were first issued in 2008. An older version with overlapping splotches of black, brown and green patches were also found in the stack. The servicemen commonly refer to both the uniforms No. 4 dress.
Tanjung Pinang Naval Base commander, First Admiral S Irawan said an Indonesian Western fleet team spotted the vessel with smuggled goods on Wednesday. It was unloading goods near Pulau Galang, an island located 40km southeast of Batam.
According to him, there were a total of 19 truckloads of smuggled goods ranging from used electronic equipment, such as television sets and washing machines. One of those 19 trucks had military attire, including combat boots. It was believed that those attires were issued by SAF.
"The question now is why that much military attire is being sent to Batam...we will investigate," the admiral told The Straits Times.
He also added that the investigating officers are questioning the boat captain and truck drivers in Tanjung Pinang. But, the Navy is yet to determine the alleged owner of the smuggled goods.
Under Singaporean military law, unauthorised sale of SAF uniforms or equipment is an offence. Convicts who are guilty of misappropriation or theft of SAF property could be jailed for up to three years.
