P

irate attacks are reportedly on the rise in the Malacca Strait, causing fear among fishermen, who are considered subject to abduction.

Based on reports from the Indonesian Fishermen Association (HNSI), armed pirates seized three fishing boats over the past week.

Of the three vessels, only one has been released after the boat owner paid a Rp 18 million (US$2,100) ransom, while the whereabouts of the two other vessels are yet
unknown.

Medan chapter HNSI head Zulfahri Siagian said that based on the latest information his group had received, the pirates had taken both of the boats to an area in waters off Langsa, Aceh.

“This is the umpteenth time we have heard that pirates have taken boats to Langsa. But, the perpetrators are still at large and pirate attacks are on the rise in the Malacca Strait,” Zulfahri told The Jakarta Post on Monday.

He said pirates often carried firearms and grenades when carrying out attacks.

When asked on their origin, Zulfahri said he was not authorized to disclose information on that matter.

“Our security forces know who they are. The pirates are our members too,” Zulfahri said, without disclosing their identities.

He explained that pirate attacks were rife in the Malacca Strait, but authorities had not been able to arrest them. Consequently, added Zulfahri, many fishermen were hesitant to conduct work in the Malacca Strait.

“Pirate attacks usually rise ahead of Idul Fitri and New Year’s Day. We urge security personnel to step up security,” he said.

M. Zaini, skipper of KM Sumber Utama, who was abducted by the pirates, said he was grateful that he could return home to his family after being abducted for three days. He added that the pirates released him on July 2 after they received the Rp 18 million ransom from the boat owner.

“During the abduction, I was treated well by the pirates, but I was scared because they carried grenades,” said Zaini, adding his boat had twice been hijacked by pirates over the past month.

He said his boat was hijacked when he was catching fish in the Malacca Strait. He said he did not recognize the pirates, but they were equipped with firearms.

“They are tall and thin and often communicate in the Acehnese dialect,” Zaini said at his home in Belawan on Monday.

Zaini said he was not traumatized by the event because it was a common occurrence. He said he only hoped that security personnel could step up security in the Malacca Strait.

“Frankly, however, we seldom see security personnel patrolling the sea, especially in open sea,” said Zaini.

Spokesman of the Indonesian Navy main naval base in Belawan Maj. Jefry said a basic duty of the Marine Security Coordinating Board was to assure security in the Malacca Strait.

“Routine patrols are conducted jointly with the Marine Security Coordinating Board,” Jefry said.