TheJakartaPost

Please Update your browser

Your browser is out of date, and may not be compatible with our website. A list of the most popular web browsers can be found below.
Just click on the icons to get to the download page.

Jakarta Post

Malaysia arrests 4 Indonesian fishermen

A fishing boat crewed by Indonesian fishermen has reportedly been seized by Malaysian police in the Malacca Strait

Apriadi Gunawan (The Jakarta Post)
Medan
Fri, October 7, 2011

Share This Article

Change Size

Malaysia arrests 4 Indonesian fishermen

A

fishing boat crewed by Indonesian fishermen has reportedly been seized by Malaysian police in the Malacca Strait.

The Indonesian Fishermen Association (HNSI) Medan chapter reported on Thursday that the fishermen hailed from Belawan, North Sumatra.

According to HNSI, the Malaysian Police have seized six Indonesian fishing boats and their catches in the past seven months, and “physically abused most of the boat crew members”.

Association head Zulfachri Siagian said the most recent incident took place on Oct. 1, during which the boat was intercepted on the border between Indonesia and Malaysia in the Malacca Strait.

He said the four fishermen were still being held by the Malaysian Police in Penang.

They were identified as Efendi, M. Yunan, Wira and Rahmat, all from Belawan, some 30 kilometers from Medan.

“They have been held by the Malaysian authorities for six days now and there is no certainty yet of their fate,” Zulfachri told The Jakarta Post before leaving for Jakarta on Thursday.

He said he would report all the arrests to the HNSI central board, calling for a stern response “because the fishermen have been physically abused and their fish catches seized”.

Zulfachri suspected the number of Indonesian fishermen who have been arrested by Malaysian police could be more than reported.

“Many of our fishermen have become victims of the Malaysian police, but the government has so far given no response. This is deplorable,” Zulfachri said.

He expressed hope that the central HNSI would follow up on the report and forward the issue to President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.

Zulfachri said his group expected that the President, through his men, could immediately settle the issue.

According to Zulfachri, in dealing with the cases, the government should first resolve the Indonesia-Malaysia border demarcation process and step up patrols in the Malacca Strait.

“The Malaysian police have thus far intercepted our fishing boats within Indonesian territory, but Malaysia claimed the vessels had intruded into their territory. This is the main issue, including lax patrols at the border,” Zulfachri said.

He acknowledged that his group had met the Malaysian consul in Medan, Norlin Othman, to inquire about the issue.

In response to the boat seizures and physical abuse against crew members, Norlin said the Malaysian Police had carried out their duties according to procedures, while the Indonesian authorities must provide evidence to Malaysia of the alleged mistreatment against the Indonesian fishermen.

In response to the Indonesian fishermen who are still being held in Penang, Norlin said they were all in good condition and would be returned after the investigations were completed.

Maritime issues last year strained relations between the two countries after Malaysian Maritime Police arrested three Indonesian Fisheries and Maritime Affairs Ministry’s officers in disputed waters.

The three officers were eventually released, but the arrest had already sparked public outrage that turned into harsh demonstrations in front of the Malaysian embassy in Jakarta.

In another incident last year, Malaysian authorities arrested five fishermen, although they believed they had been fishing in Indonesian waters.

The government was criticized for its slow response.

{

Your Opinion Counts

Your thoughts matter - share your experiences, suggestions, and any issues you've encountered on The Jakarta Post. We're here to listen.

Enter at least 30 characters
0 / 30

Thank You

Thank you for sharing your thoughts. We appreciate your feedback.