33 Acehnese Fishermen Freed By Thai Authorities

The Aceh Provincial Government through the Department of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (DKP) attempted to repatriate 33 Acehnese fishermen who were released by Thai authorities after serving their sentences in the country.

"Currently we are trying to carry out administrative management with the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and finalize financing," said the Head of the Aceh DKP, Aliman, in Banda Aceh, as reported by ANTARA, Thursday, May 16.

Aliman conveyed, based on the results of a coordination meeting that was held two days ago with the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) and the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, it was known that 35 Acehnese fishermen had been released by Thai authorities on April 26, 2024.

Then, of the 35 fishermen, two of them had been returned to Aceh some time ago due to health problems, so they were flown to Indonesia by the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs more quickly.

"Meanwhile, the 33 other fishermen who have also been released are still in Thailand and will soon be repatriated by the Aceh Government," he said.

The plan, said Aliman, is that the repatriation of 33 fishermen from East Aceh will be financed by the Aceh Government, they will be flown from Thailand and will go directly to Kualanamu Airport, Medan, so that it will save more costs.

Currently, he continued, the Acehnese fishermen are already in Bangkok with the Indonesian Embassy, and they are also still under the supervision of Thai immigration authorities.

"If there are no obstacles, it is targeted that they can be returned to Aceh next week. If there is family participation, these fishermen for repatriation are also allowed," he said.

Aliman explained that the Acehnese fishermen were released because they had served a prison sentence in accordance with the fine given previously.

Because they were unable to pay the fine, the relevant authorities in Thailand replaced it with a prison sentence.

"As a result, one day of confinement for a 500 bhat cut. Meanwhile, they were fined an average of 100 thousand bhat per person, so they were replaced by almost seven months in prison (200 days)," said Aliman.

Previously, 40 fishermen from East Aceh Regency were caught by Thai authorities for entering the marine territory of the local country, Sunday (8/10/2023).

A total of 12 people used the KM Rahmad Jaya 29 growthstone (GT) ship. Then from KM Ikhlas Baru 24 GT as many as 16 people, and KM Kambia Star 2 crew 25 GT.

"They are fishermen who were arrested from three ships in October 2023, namely the KM Kambia Star, KM Rahmat Jaya, and KM Ikhlas Baru," said Aliman.