The Indonesian Consulate in Darwin, Australia, reported that four of the eight fishermen from Rote Ndao who were arrested by Australian water police were fined USD 19,500 or around IDR 200 million for violating national borders.
"Four people who have undergone trial last Monday have been decided to pay a fine of 19,500 Australian dollars," said the Acting Consular Function of the Consulate of the Republic of Indonesia at Darwin Yulius Mada Kaka when contacted by ANTARA from Kupang, Friday, December 2.
This was conveyed in connection with the development of eight fishermen from Papela village, Rote Ndao Regency, East Nusa Tenggara who were arrested by the Australian border authorities.
He said that the four fishermen who were fined 19,500 Australian dollars were Irwan, Safarin, Dewa and Lexa. "In addition, they were also sentenced to 28 days in prison," he said.
Meanwhile, four other fishermen, he said, had just undergone trial on Friday afternoon, the results of the trial were not yet known. However, he believes the amount of punishment is not the same as that experienced by four other fishermen.
This is because four other fishermen named Hasan Lamusa, Midung alias Didung Lopes, Waldi and Billy Nurullah alias Gerbuyung are teenagers whose age is still around 20 years and under.
"The Australian government still upholds human rights issues, so some of them are still teenagers, their sentences will be reduced," he added.
The four fishermen consciously acknowledged and deliberately entered Australian waters to carry out illegal fishing activities.
They also admitted that when they were arrested they had been in Australian waters for two days.
Furthermore, he said, currently the Australian government has removed the old rules regarding the handling of fishermen who pass illegally in Australian waters.
"Now normal rules have been re-imposed. From 2020 to 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic, if there are fishermen who violate the limits, they are immediately expelled without being arrested and tried," he said.
However, at this time if anyone violates it, they will be arrested and tried and their ship will be destroyed by local authorities.
Meanwhile, the Head of Marine Resources and Fisheries Supervision of the NTT DKP, Mery Foenay, said that it was possible that the eight fishermen would be sent home together.
"However, according to the results of the trial, the eight fishermen will be repatriated so they do not need to serve 28 days in prison and do not have to pay a fine," he said.
However, said Mery, the sentence would again apply if the fishermen did the same again in the future. His party is also still coordinating regarding the repatriation of a number of fishermen from Rote Ndao.
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