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embers of the Indonesian Fishermen Association (HNSI) rallied in Medan, North Sumatra, on Tuesday in protest of what they called Malaysian oil company Petronas’ arrogance in stopping them from crab fishing on a swath of water where it is searching for oil.

HNSI Belawan chairman Ismail Abdullah said Petronas security personnel had stopped local crab fishers from leaving port for five days.

Ismail said one of Petronas’ security officers had hurt the feelings of local fishermen, adding that the ban had also cost the fishermen money.

“For years, the fishermen have earned a living there. But suddenly they are prevented from searching for crabs there. Who would not be angry” Ismail said.

“Based on our calculations, each fisherman suffers losses of Rp 4 million to Rp 5 million for every day they are prevented from going to sea,” he said.

Ismail said the fishermen had reported the case to the Indonesian Navy and the Maritime Resources and Fisheries Office in Medan.

The report was filed with the aim to allow the fishermen to begin operating around the Petronas project again, he said.

“We won’t hinder any foreign investment in Indonesia like the Petronas [project], but don’t allow the investment projects to cause us to suffer losses,” he said.

Head of HNSI Medan Julfahri Siagian said he had met with Petronas representatives.

During the meeting, Julfahri said, it was agreed Petronas would compensate the fishermen for the losses they had incurred as a result of their being prevented from fishing.

“The amount of losses Petronas will give is still being negotiated,” Julfahri said in Belawan on Tuesday.

Julfahri said HNSI had asked Petronas to stop all activities at its oil exploration project until it compensated the fishermen.

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For years, the fishermen have earned a living there. But suddenly they are prevented from searching for crabs there.

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“Starting today, we ask Petronas to stop all activities and for its project be halted until the losses are paid,” he said.

Julfahri said the Malaysian oil company had been exploring for oil in the area for the last three months. He said the company was using large vessel equipped with sensor equipment.

“Three locations are being surveyed with distances ranging from 5 to 12 miles from the Belawan coast,” Julfahri said.

Responding to HNSI demands, two unidentified Petronas representatives who met with HNSI fishermen asked for several days to reach an agreement on the demands.