RI Tempuh Line Bilateral Regarding The Arrest Of Acehnese Fishermen In Thailand

Minister of Law and Human Rights Yasonna Laoly (right) gave a press statement after the closing of the 61st AALCO in Nusa Dua, Badung Regency, Bali, Friday (20/10/2023) ANTARA/Dewa Ketut Sudiarta Wiguna

NUSA Dua - The Indonesian government is taking a bilateral route related to fishermen from Aceh who were arrested by Thai authorities for allegedly entering the country's marine area illegally.

"It was bilaterally resolved regarding fishermen being arrested in Thailand," said Minister of Law and Human Rights (Menkumham) YasonnaHLaoly in Nusa Dua, Badung Regency, Bali, as reported by ANTARA, Friday, October 20.

According to him, similar cases, including Myanmar, can be resolved bilaterally.

However, Yasonna did not provide further details of the bilateral efforts taken following the arrest of the Aceh fisherman.

"Nelayans who were arrested in Thailand and other countries where fishermen are processed in our country, will be completed bilaterally," he added.

Previously, Thai authorities arrested 40 fishermen from East Aceh Regency in early October 2023.

The arrest of 40 fishermen is the second time after previously on Saturday (26/8) arrested 29 other fishermen.

Chairman of Panglima Laot Aceh Miftach Tjut Adek explained that the 40 fishermen came from Idi Aceh Timur Port who were riding three different fishing boats.

The details are 12 people using the Rahmad Jaya Motorboat (KM) with a capacity of 29 'gross tonnage' (GT), KM Iklas Baru 24 GT with 16 people, and KM Kambia Star with a capacity of 25 GT with two fishermen.

Three ships moved from Idi Aceh Timur Port which were arrested 75.8 nautical miles from Phuket, Thailand," he said in Banda Aceh, Monday (9/10).

The Acehnese fisherman was then immediately taken to Prom Lam Thep Chelong Police for further treatment.

Earlier on Saturday (26/8), two fishing vessels with 29 fishermen from Aceh were also arrested by Thai authorities for allegedly entering the country's maritime territorial boundaries.

A total of 29 fishermen have undergone trials in the country and have been sanctioned by each fisherman in the form of fines ranging from 3,000 to 5,000 baht or around Rp. 2.1 million per person.