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Nine Indonesian fishermen detained for trespassing Malaysian waters
The Nov. 14 incident is the second case affecting Natuna fishermen in the past two years.
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Plain sailing: The Royal Malaysian Navy KD Terengganu (left) sails on the final day of the ASEAN Natuna Solidarity Exercise 2023 off Lagong island, in Riau Islands on Sept. 23, 2023. (AFP/Bay Ismoyo)
R
iau Islands Governor Ansar Ahmad says he is working to release nine fishermen from Natuna Islands apprehended by Malaysian authorities for entering the country’s waters without a permit.
He said his office was in constant communication with the Indonesian Consulate General in Sarawak, Malaysia, where the nine fishermen are being held, to obtain further information.
"We are handling it through the border agency and the Maritime and Fisheries Agency [DKP] of Riau Islands, and it is still in process," said Ansar on Wednesday.
The head of the Natuna Maritime Security Agency, Capt. Ilham, confirmed three boats from Natuna had been seized by the Malaysian authorities on Nov. 14. Each boat had a captain and two crew members. They were taken to a port in Sarawak.
"There is already a dedicated team [to handle the situation]," Ilham said.
Ansar emphasized that the longstanding good relationship between Indonesia and Malaysia could facilitate the release of the nine fishermen.
"We continue to communicate with our consulate general there. It's in Sarawak, and I have just returned from there. I am closely monitoring this development," he said. "Malaysia has helped us a lot, and vice versa. Hopefully, it can be resolved soon."
The Nov. 14 incident is the second case affecting Natuna fishermen in the past two years. In 2022, two fishermen were jailed for six months in Malaysia after they were found guilty of engaging in illegal fishing activities in Malaysian waters.
