TEMPO.CO, Jakarta-Head of Information Division of Indonesian Navy Admiral Edi Sucipto has confirmed that Indonesian Navy has arrested a Chinese-flagged boat. The boat that carried 7 crew members were captured on Friday in the Natuna waters, Riau Islands, over alleged illegal fishing.

“It’s been detained in Ranai Naval Base for further process,” Edi told Tempo on Monday, June 20, 2016.

In the arrest, the National Armed Forces (TNI) deployed KRI Imam Bonjol-383 ship which was in the middle of a sea patrol. The Parchim class corvette KRI Imam Bonjol-383, dispatched by Western Indonesian Fleet Command, received a report based on an aerial maritime surveillance.

“The report was about 12 foreign fishing boats in the Natuna,” Edi said.

Edi added that the group of Chinese-flagged boats fled when KRI Imam Bonjol came after them. The Navy fired a warning shot, but they ignored it. “After several warning shots and shots fired across the bow, one of the 12 foreign boats was stopped,” he said.

Investigation will soon be carried out by the visit, board, search and seizure (VBSS) team. The Chinese-flagged ship with hull number 19038 was crewed by alleged Chinese nationals; 6 men and a woman.

The Navy will continue to conduct sea patrol following the incident.

“Whatever the flag is, anyone who violates the law in Indonesian jurisdiction will be prosecuted,” Edi said.

YOHANES PASKALIS