Medan District Court Judge Sentenced To Fines For Captain From Thailand Rp250 Million

The defendant Somsak Prombut (right) and the interpreter listened to the verdict at the Medan District Court, North Sumatra, Thursday (7/9/2023). (ANTARA/HO)

The panel of judges at the Medan District Court, North Sumatra, sentenced the defendant Somsak Prombut as a captain from Thailand to a fine of Rp250 million for entering Indonesian waters to catch fish.

"The defendant is believed to have been found guilty of intentionally committing a crime in the management area of the Republic of Indonesia to conduct an fishing business without a permit," said Chief Judge Happy Karfaha Tarigan at the Medan District Court as reported by ANTARA, Thursday, September 7.

He said the panel of judges assessed that the defendant's actions violated Article 26 paragraph (1) as regulated and threatened with crime in Article 92 in conjunction with Article 26 paragraph (1) of the Marine and Fisheries sector of Law Number 6 of 2023 concerning Regulation and Stipulation of Government in Lieu of Law Number 2 of 2022 concerning Job Creation.

"Meanwhile, the aggravating thing is that the defendant's actions in carrying out fishing efforts without a permit and could damage fish resources and coral reefs, a mitigating thing frankly at trial," said Happy Kartama.

According toppy Karfaa, the defendant used a fishing boat with the crew (ABK), namely KM.KHF 2226 GT.68.80.

Meanwhile, evidence from the ship with fish caught weighing 271 kilograms was confiscated for the state, while two trawler fishing gears were confiscated for destruction.

The verdict from the panel of judges was lighter than the demands of Public Prosecutor Bastian Sihombing of Rp. 1 million. The defendant received the verdict, while the prosecutor appealed.