Malaysia Detains Tens Of Indonesia Fishermen

Batam (Antara Bali) - At least 20 traditional Indonesian fishermen have been detained by Malaysia for allegedly entering the waters of the neighboring country illegally.

An official of the local office of the maritime and fishery ministry Salim said here on Saturday the Malaysian immigration office would deport the fishermen by phases.

"Yesterday, Malaysia already deported 13 of them via Tanjungpinang. Others would follow," Salim said.

He said the fishermen were not aware that they had entered the Malaysian territory as they had no navigation system.

The governments of Indonesia and Malaysia have agreed not to make it difficult the return of traditional fishermen of both sides not deliberately crossing the borders. "The fishermen are only given immigration sanction of five days in detention," Salim said.

Earlier Vice Admiral Bambang Suwarto, head of the sea security coordination agency said there are less cases of fishermen being detained after the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the two countries on sea border.

"The sea security patrols of both countries would not detain but only drive away fishermen from both sides entering territories not yet clear in status between the two countries," Bambang said.(*/M038/T007)