TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - A team of traditional fishermen were caught by Malaysian Water Police at around 10:30 am, Saturday, January 30, 2016. Malaysian Police with hull number 3225 has caught 1 skipper and 4 crew members (ABK) of a 5 grosston (GT) boat from Langkat District, North Sumatra.
The news was received by the Association of Indonesian Traditional Fishermen (KNTI). Tajruin Hasibuan, Head of North Sumatera KNTI, received the information from Suhaidi, 40 year-old, the parent of one of the crew members, M. Chairil, who was able to report the arrest. “They were nabbed by Penang water police as they were heading home,” said Tajruddin, Thursday, February 4, 2016.
Vice Chairman of KNTI Secretary General, Niko Amrulah said that his association has sent a letter to the Indonesian government to send legal aid for the five fishermen. “The letter has been sent three days ago, but we haven’t receive any reply,” said Niko. “We have no idea about their (5 fishermen) current condition in Penang.”
According to Niko, the Malaysian water police has allegedly breached the Memorandum of Understanding Common Guidelines Concerning Treatment of Fishermen by Maritime Law Enforcment Agencies between Indonesia and Malaysia. The understanding, said Niko, was signed by both countries on January 27, 2012.
Consequently, said Niko, should there be any traditional fisherman - whether Indonesian or Malaysian - violated the national border, no arrest will be made. “They should have help to escort traditional boats to get back to their respective country’s waters, except for the case of illegal fishing and use of chemical materials,” he said.
Tajruddin added that the breach of the memorandum is equal to a breach of the 1982 UNCLOS article 51 paragraph 1. The article contains the obligation of archipelagic states to protect and respect the waters which is traditional fishermen’s catchment area. “We haven’t get any official information on their condition since the arrest,” said Tajruddin.
ARKHELAUS W.
