Malaysia Frees 1 of 2 Riau Islands Fishermen Arrested by Fishery Patrol Boats in early September

Head of the Riau Islands Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Service Tengku Said Arif Fadillah (ANTARA/Nikolas Panama)

RIAU ISLAND - Head of the Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Service (DKP) of the Riau Islands Province, Tengku Said Arif Fadillah, stated that Malaysia released one of two traditional fishermen from Natuna Regency who were arrested by Malaysian Fisheries Patrol Boat officers on September 8, 2022.

"There is good news from the Indonesian Consulate General in Kuching, today Johan (one of the two fishermen arrested by Malaysian officers) was released", said Arif when contacted by Antara in Tanjungpinang, Friday, September 23.

Johan is one of the traditional fishermen from Natuna who was arrested by Malaysian Fisheries Patrol Boat officers on September 8, 2022. He went to sea with Kasnadi in Natuna waters bordering Malaysia.

"We just found out that Kasnadi is Johan's father", said Arif, who is currently in Natuna.

The former Secretary of the Riau Islands explained that the process of returning Johan to the Riau Islands was still being discussed by the Indonesian Consulate General in Kuching with the Malaysian Government. It is possible that Johan was repatriated using a commercial fast boat from Malaysia to Batam or Tanjungpinang. "We are still waiting for information about it", he said.

Meanwhile, regarding the legal case against Kasnadi, according to Arif, today the police and Malaysian Immigration will decide whether to proceed or not. However, he is optimistic that Kasnadi will be released by the Malaysian government because he accidentally entered the Tanjung Manis waters, Sarawak, East Malaysia.

Budiman, from the Indonesian Consulate General in Kuching informed Arif that the Indonesian Consulate General in Kuching was still lobbying the Malaysian government for Kasnadi to be released. The process of releasing Kasnadi still has to go through the legal process in force in that country, such as a case and trial.

The Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs are also monitoring the development of the case. The two ministries also informed the Riau Islands Provincial Government regarding the steps that have been taken, including the latest developments in the case.

"Our fishermen accidentally entered Malaysian waters illegally. The boat they use is only 3GT, so they are easily swayed when they go to sea because of the high waves", he said.

In Natuna, Arif gave moral support to the families of Kasnadi and Johan. He also assists them.

"We provide assistance to cover daily needs. This is personal assistance, not institutional", he said.