Bakamla Picks Up 2 Fishermen From Riau Islands Who Are Stranded In Malaysia

Bakamla RI officers checked the health of the two fishermen from Riau Islands after being picked up at the Malaysian border with Indonesia. (ANTARA/HO-Humas Bakamla RI)

BATAM - The Maritime Security Agency (Bakamla) picked up two fishermen from the Riau Islands (Kepri) who were stranded on Batu Puteh Island, Malaysia while fishing.

"Bakamla RI picked up two fishermen from Riau Islands who were stranded in Malaysia while fishing, Tuesday (13/6). Pick-up was carried out directly by the Head of the West Bakamla Zone, Laksma Bakamla Syufenri, on the sea border between Indonesia and Malaysia," said Bakamla Youth Expert Public Relations Officer, Captain Bakamla Yuhanes Antara, as reported by ANTARA, Tuesday, June 13.

The two fishermen are known to be Hendri (38 years) and Tarmizi (19 years). They were stranded on Batu Puteh Island after their boat was hit by high waves and strong winds while fishing in Riau Islands waters on Monday (22/5).

The two fishermen were found and rescued by fishermen in Malaysia on Friday (26/5), he said.

After being rescued, Malaysian fishermen immediately coordinated with the Malaysian Maritime Authority Agency (APMM) to be followed up immediately.

Receiving this information, the Consultant General of the Republic of Indonesia (KJRI) in Johor Bahru verified and placed the two fishermen at the Temporary Shelter (TSS) in Johor Bahru before arranging their return to Indonesia.

Then, the Indonesian Consulate General in conjunction with Johor Bahru in parallel coordinated with Bakamla RI and APMM to arrange the plan for the return of the two fishermen. The results obtained were that the two fishermen were accompanied by APMM towards the outermost boundary of Malaysia so that they could be handed over to Bakamla RI to be escorted back to Riau Islands.

"This success is the result of a collaboration between Bakamla RI and APMM who are members of the ASEAN 'Coast Guard' Forum (ACF) which was just held in Jakarta on June 6-9," he said.