Malaysia Repatriates 19 Indonesian Fishermen: Official

Rokan Hilir, Riau (Antara Bali) - The Malaysian government finally sent home 19 Riau fishermen after they were detained on Thursday (June 23, 2016), an official has stated.

"Thank God, the Malaysian investigators finally decided to release (these 19 fishermen), thanks to the efforts of the Indonesian Embassy, the central government and the Riau provincial government, made through the Fisheries and Maritime Affairs Office," the head of the Riau Provincial Fisheries and Maritime Affairs Office, Tien Mastina, said here on Friday.

Mastina stated the Malaysian investigators did not make any claim against the fishermen, because the traditional fishermen knew nothing about the border between the two countries.

"Today, the Malaysian government repatriates the fishermen and these are being escorted till the border," she pointed out.

Mastina expressed the hope that the central government along with the provincial and city governments will try to familiarize the fishermen about the country's border.

"If the government officials continue to familiarize (the fishermen about the border), it will help prevent the recurrence of such incidence," she underlined.

Thanks to the cooperation of all parties concerned, the fishermen will be able to reunite with their family members during the Eid Al-Fitr festivities (Lebaran).

Previously, the Rokan Hilir police precinct chief, Senior Commissioner Hendry Posma Lubis, had explained that of the 19 fishermen detained, one was a skipper while others were crew (ABK) of three different motor boats. All of these were traditional fishing boats.

In the meantime, the Rokan Hilir District office of the All Indonesian Fishermen Association (HNSI) in Riau Province had also asked the central government to help secure the release of fishermen who were detained in Malaysia.

Secretary to the HNSI Rohil District office Saddam Hussein had claimed here on Sunday night that these fishermen were fishing at a location within the territory of the Republic of Indonesia and had not encroached on any other territory. Saddam was quoting a fisherman who had escaped during the incident.

Saddam asked the Indonesian Navy and the Coastal Police department to immediately form a team and determine whether the location in question belonged to Indonesia or Malaysia.

"The fishermen told us that they were still in the Indonesian waters, as were their fishing tools," he disclosed. (WDY)