DKP: 29 Acehnese Fishermen Arrested In Thailand Fined 5,000 Bath

Illustration - Fishing boat. BETWEEN PHOTOS/Ampelsa

ACEH's BANDA - A total of 29 fishermen from Aceh who were caught by the Thai Navy, for crossing the Indonesian territory some time ago, were fined 3,000 to 5,000 baths (around Rp. 2.1 million) per crew member (ABK).

"Based on the decision of the trial by the Thai authorities, they were fined 3,000-5,000 baths per crew member," said Head of the Aceh Aliman Marine and Fisheries Service (DKP) in Banda Aceh as reported by ANTARA, Wednesday, August 30.

According to Aliman, the fines imposed on the fishermen were different, according to the roles and positions of each crew member. The details have not been conveyed by the Thai side.

"So far we have just received information from those who attended the trial. If a copy of the official decision has not been given to the Indonesian government," he said.

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) then used the KM Cahaya Putra ship and KM Salsabila.

Aliman menyampaikan, berdasarkan sidang yang sudah berjalan di sana, dari salah satu kapal yakni KM Salsabila ditemukan adanya fish, sedangkan dari KM Cahya Putra tidak ditemukan bukti pencurian fish.

"From one of the ships it was found that there was fish in it and it was also fined, while the other there was no fish, hopefully the ship can be released," he also said.

Aliman said, based on information received from the Indonesian Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (KKP), the 29 fishermen were still in good health, and were detained in a proper place and received guard from local security.

He hopes that all Acehnese fishermen and ships can be released. So that fishermen can return to using the sea route, and the process can be faster.

Because, if they are sent home via flight, the process will take a long time, considering that the fishermen do not have passports and other supporting documents.

"If by air the business is long, especially if they don't have passports, documents, if they pass by sea it can be faster, that's our hope," he said again.

Aliman said that regarding the handling of the Acehnese fishermen, his party had written to the Indonesian KKP so that they could help and advocate for the Acehnese.

"We have also written to the Indonesian KKP in the hope that it can be facilitated, oversee, and monitor developments there. We continue to strive so that they are immediately sent back to Aceh," said Aliman.