TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Ministry (KKP) urged the Foreign Affairs Ministry to issue a diplomatic note to the Malaysian government. The letter is the form of protest against Malaysian maritime boat meddling the ministry’s surveillance vessel on duty in Malacca Strait this week.

Earlier on April 3 and 9, 2019, Panggalang 13 speed boat owned by the neighboring country’s maritime enforcement agency (APMM) hindered the ministry’s vessel, Hiu 08 and Macan Tutul, while arresting two Malaysian illegal fishing boats in the strait.

The KKP's acting director general for marine and fisheries resources surveillance (PSDKP), Agus Suherman, opined the incident was quite serious since the intervention was committed by a state institution under Malaysia administration.

“The boat belongs to APMM, a counterpart of Indonesian Maritime Security Board (Bakamla),” said Agus during a press conference, the KKP building, Gambir, Central Jakarta, Thursday, April 11.

Agus explained that the case was not a trivial matter and so his ministry demanded Ministry of Foreign Affairs follow it up. He said that the neighboring country has violated Indonesian sovereignty, committed obstruction of justice act, and often entered Indonesian waters and practiced illegal fishing as well.

DIAS PRASONGKO | FAJAR PEBRIANTO