TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Susi Pudjiastuti, former minister of maritime affairs and fisheries, unceasingly voiced her hopes that the government acts firmly in upholding the law against illegal foreign fishing vessels in Indonesian waters.

Susi stressed that Indonesia as a sovereign nation must be able to distinguish between foreign vessels that must be respected or those that must be captured.

"When [a foreign country] invests [in Indonesia], we respect and protect them. But when [a country] steals (conducting illegal fishing), we must catch and sink them," said Susi in her official Twitter account @susipudjiastuti, Monday evening, January 6.

Susi made similar remarks at the end of last week following China’s violations in the Indonesian territorial waters, Natuna. "Treat fish thieves by enforcing the law on them for what they have [violated]. This is different from maintaining a friendship or investment climate," she remarked on Saturday, January 4.

Furthermore, the former minister emphasized that friendship between countries does not mean protecting fish thieves. "Friendship between countries cannot protect fish thieves and set aside law enforcement against perpetrators of illegal, unreported, unregulated fishing (IUUF). This is a transnational crime," she tweeted.

Susi Pudjiastuti conveyed her statements in response to the peaceful solution proposed by Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto regarding China’s violation in Natuna Sea.

"We will settle it well. After all, China is a friend country," said Prabowo at the Coordinating Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Investment Office, Jakarta, Friday, January 3. Prabowo’s opinion was seconded by Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Pandjaitan.

CAESAR AKBAR | EKO WAHYUDI