T

he Navy’s Western Region Fleet Command (Koarmabar), which arrested the Chinese fishing vessel Han Tan Cou 19038 in Natuna waters over the weekend, is stepping up its investigation into the seven crew members to complete their case dossiers.

They are being investigated over allegations of illegally fishing in Indonesian territory, as the Koarmabar had seized their ship as evidence to build a strong case against the seven, comprising six men and a woman.

The Navy has denied China’s claim that one of its fishermen was injured during the incident after Koarmabar personnel shot at the Han Tan Cou 19038 to stop it after it resisted arrest, adding that the crew suffered no injuries and were securely held at the Navy base’s detention center in Sabangmawang, Natuna regency,
Riau province.

“We detained them for investigation and they are all well. You can go there yourself to see that they are all doing well [at the detention center],” Koarmabar commander Rear Admiral Achmad Taufiqoerrahman told a press briefing in Jakarta on Tuesday.

The Navy chased 12 Chinese fishing vessels in Indonesia’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ) near Natuna late on Friday, before the Han Tan Cou 19038 was left behind by the other 11 vessels, according to the Koarmabar. It was left behind because its nets had already been cast when the Navy’s KRI Imam Bonjol arrived in the area, unlike the other vessels.

KRI Imam Bonjol personnel fired a warning shot to reprimand the Han Tan Cou 19038 but it ignored the call. Consequently, in what the Navy called a “dangerous” maneuver, it shot at the vessel’s front side in attempt to halt it.

When KRI Imam Bonjol was towing the Han Tan Cou 19038 to Natuna Islands, two Chinese coast guard ships approached the KRI Imam Bonjol and demanded the Han Tan Cou 19038’s release. The Navy ignored the request and brought the vessel to Natuna.

Satuday’s incident was the third such case in the past two months. Previous arrests also saw the involvement of the Chinese coast guard protecting other compatriot fishing vessels.

Chinese vessels continue to fish in Indonesia’s EEZ because the Chinese claim that the waters are part of its traditional fishing areas. This claim is not recognized by international law, yet the Chinese coast guard has been maintaining its presence in Indonesia’s EEZ.

Indonesian Military (TNI) chief Gen. Gatot Nurmantyo said that it would let the Foreign Ministry coordinate with the Chinese government and inform them of the Chinese coast guard’s frequent involvement with Navy patrolling activities in Natuna waters.

Gatot said that the result of the ongoing investigation would later determine whether the Han Tan Cou 19038 would be sunk as part of a government policy to deter foreign vessels from illegally fishing in its waters.

Earlier, the government had dispatched five Navy warships as well as a CR 212 aircraft to Natuna in order to secure the area from illegal poachers. On Monday, the government established a team of international law experts to find a peaceful solution to its recurring standoff with China in Natuna.

Coordinating Political, Legal and Security Affairs Minister Luhut Pandjaitan said Indonesia’s firm stance to arrest Chinese vessels would not hurt the economic partnership between the two countries.

“Economic matters are economic matters, and violations are violations. That’s why we want to solve the problem peacefully without much noise,” Luhut said.