King Of Thailand IX Birthday Gift, 5 East Aceh Fishermen Involved In Swallow's Nest Case Freed

Five Acehnese fishermen who were repatriated from Thailand upon arrival at Soekarno-Hatta Airport (ANTARA/HO)

ACEH - Five of the seven fishermen from East Aceh who were detained by Thai authorities on May 25, 2021 for bringing swallow's nests without import documents have been returned to Indonesia.

"They have arrived in Jakarta. These five Acehnese fishermen were released after receiving a pardon from the King of Thailand IX, whose birthday is," said the Aceh Government Liaison Agency (BPPA) Almuniza Kamal, in Banda Aceh, Antara, Friday, February 18.

Almuniza said that before being sent back to Aceh, the five fishermen first underwent quarantine at the Nagrak Flats (Rusun) in Cilincing, North Jakarta, for about five days. They will also have their health checked as well as a PCR test.

"If later their results are negative, they will be allowed to return to Aceh. However, if any of them are positive they will be isolated first, but we pray that they are all healthy," he said.

While they are in Jakarta, the BPPA team will monitor their whereabouts. So, if you need something, you can get help right away.

Meanwhile, two other fishermen could not be sent home because they were confirmed positive for COVID-19 while undergoing tests. So it must be quarantined there first until a negative result comes out.

The seven fishermen from East Aceh initially sailed using KM Antamela, departing from Tanjung Balai Asahan Port, North Sumatra on May 22, 2021 with the aim of going to Satun Port, Thailand.

However, on May 25, 2021, they were arrested by Thai security forces in the waters off Lippeh Island, Satun Province because, based on inspection results, their ship loaded 300 kilograms of swiftlet nests without import documents.

In addition, the fishermen violated immigration and shipping documents. Where the number of crew members does not match the documents listed in the manifest and port clearance issued by the Syahbandar Tanjung Balai Asahan.

"During their detention, they received assistance from the Indonesian Consulate General in Songkhla, especially the health conditions of the crew members, as well as providing consular assistance, including providing translations," he said.

Almuniza representing the Government of Aceh and the people of Aceh thanked the Indonesian Consulate in Songkhla, the Indonesian Embassy in Thailand, the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Kemenlu), PWNI, KKP RI, the COVID-19 Task Force, and other elements.

"Thank you for helping to take care of the repatriation of fishermen from Aceh, of course this cannot be separated from the cooperation of all parties," said Almuniza.

The five fishermen who have been repatriated include Zainal Arifin (45), Riki Ardian (30), Junaidi (34), Alaudin (48), and Muchsin (31). Meanwhile, those who are still in Thailand are Muhammad Azmi (24) and M Yusuf (50).