There Are Still 19 Acehnese Fishermen Arrested In Thailand

BANDA ACEH - Acehnese fishermen who were caught abroad for cases of crossing foreign territorial boundaries, only 19 people remained, namely in Thailand, after previously 28 people had been returned to the country.

"There are only 19 Acehnese fishermen who are still abroad, namely in Thailand," said Deputy Secretary General of Panglima Laot Aceh, Miftach Tjut Adek, in Banda Aceh, quoted by Antara, Wednesday, February 9.

Miftach said the 19 fishermen from East Aceh who were still being detained by the Thai authorities were those who were arrested by the Thai navy on January 27, 2022 in the waters west of Phuket.

For the fishermen, said Miftach, his party has made a report to the Aceh Government in this case the Marine and Fisheries Service (DKP), PSDKP KKP RI to carry out the advocacy stage.

"Based on the information we have received, the advocacy for these 19 fishermen has been handled by the Consulate General (KJRI) Songkhla Thailand," he said.

To note, the Thai Navy captured two Acehnese fishing boats, Indonesia, each KM Sinar Makmur 05 (14 crew members) and KM Happy 05 (5 crew members). A total of 19 fishermen were arrested because they had crossed the territorial sea of Thailand.

The fishermen from East Aceh were caught in the waters west of Phuket about 38.5 NM from the coast. They will be charged with violating the Immigration Act and the Fisheries Act.

Currently, the 19 Acehnese fishermen are undergoing COVID-19 quarantine, 17 of whom are stationed in Phuket Thailand. As for the other two, namely Mujiburrahman (17) and Muhammad Nazar (14) because they are still minors, they are placed in children's shelters and rehabilitation.

After the quarantine period was over, the 19 Acehnese fishermen were brought to the detention house for investigation, assisted by the Indonesian Consulate General in Songkhla.

Miftach also said that the last Acehnese fishermen who had just been returned to Indonesia were 28 people who were pardoned by the Thai kingdom on the occasion of His Majesty King Rama X's birthday in 2021.

"There were 28 fishermen who were recently released because they were pardoned by the kingdom, and they have arrived in their respective villages," said Miftach.