DKP Ensures Acehnese Fishermen Arrested In Thailand In Indonesian Consulate General's Monitoring

Illustration - Fishermen are transporting fish (Antarenews)

BANDA ACEH - Aceh's Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Service (DKP) confirmed that 29 Acehnese fishermen who were caught by Thai authorities for crossing territorial borders were under the monitoring of the Consulate General of the Republic of Indonesia (KJRI) Songkhla.

"Based on the letter we received from the Indonesian Consulate General in Songkhla, it was stated that they were monitoring Acehnese fishermen there," said Head of Aceh DKP Alimandi Banda Aceh as reported by ANTARA, Thursday, August 31.

Previously, two fishing trawlers with 29 fishermen from Aceh were caught in the navy or coast guard officers in Thailand for allegedly entering the country's maritime territorial limit, Saturday (26/8).

The fishermen came from the East Aceh region, they went to sea on Wednesday (23/8) using KM Cahaya Putra and KM Salsabila.

Aliman said, based on the letter from the Indonesian Consulate General in Songkhla Number B-00209/SONGKHLA/230829 he received, it was stated that they had visited Acehnese fishermen since the first day they were arrested.

Thus, it can be ascertained that the Acehnese crew members are in good health and receive proper treatment from the Thai authorities.

"The Indonesian Consulate General also carried out data collection, documentation to provide translators during the trial," he said.

Where, the Judge of the Phuket Provincial Court has handed down a guilty verdict to the 29 Acehnese fishermen. They were fined from 3,000 to 5,000 baths per crew.

Then, said Aliman, so far the Indonesian Consulate General is still monitoring the progress of the case through coordination with Chalong police officials as the person in charge of the case.

The Indonesian Consulate General in Songkhla has also tried to contact his family to convey the good condition of the crew, as well as ship owners to be able to redeem the crew and ships.

"This is the first case of fishermen at the Indonesian Consulate General in Songkhla during 2023. During the handling of the case, the Indonesian Consulate General in Songkhla also continues to provide logistical assistance to the Acehnese fishermen," he said.

Aliman thanked the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Kemenlu) through the Indonesian Consulate General in Songkhla for helping.

"We, the Aceh Government, are grateful for the attention of the Indonesian Consulate General in Songkhla who has helped Acehnese fishermen there. We hope that advocacy will continue until they are free and return to the country," said Aliman.