8 Indonesian Fishermen Violating Fishing Area in Malaysia Released

Illustration of fishermen (ANTARA)

BATAM - The Riau Islands Provincial Government together with the Maritime Security Agency (Bakamla) picked up eight fishermen from Natuna who had been acquitted after being arrested by the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (APMM) for violating fishing area boundaries.

"It is true that there was a pick-up from Bakamla, in the near future from APMM Sarawak Malaysia," said Head of the Riau Islands Province Border and Outer Islands Management Service Doli Boniara when confirmed, as quoted by ANTARA, Wednesday, August 7.

According to Doli, his party is coordinating with Bakamla regarding the pick-up of the eight Natuna fishermen, regarding the time and location of the pick-up point.

Meanwhile, the Riau Islands Provincial Government is also coordinating with APMM regarding the pick-up. The pick-up was by the Riau Islands Provincial Government, Natuna Regency Government, and Bakamla RI.

"We coordinated with Bakamla RI because the information on the pick-up point was agreed upon by APMM Sarawak-Malaysia, and Bakamla/KJRI Kuching, Sarawak," he said.

The Bakamla team will depart on Thursday (8/8) afternoon from Batam to Selat Lampa, Natuna. From that location, the team will move to the pick-up point determined by APMM, which takes 6-7 hours to reach the pick-up location.

After being picked up, he said, all fishermen will be returned to their respective homes in Natuna.

Previously, the Riau Islands Provincial Government and Bakamla had picked up 16 fishermen who were acquitted by the Malaysian government. Thus, said Doli, a total of 24 fishermen were picked up and sent home.

"On average, fishermen catch with small boats of 3 GT. They probably don't know that the waters are Indonesian territory or they probably know, but because they are responsive, the fish they catch are good, so they cross the line," said Doli.