Two Aceh Fishermen Repatriated to Indonesia by Malaysian Authorities
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February 27, 2024 | 12:13 am
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Two fishermen from Aceh were finally released by the Malaysian authorities, Belantik Immigration Depot, Kedah State Immigration Department on Sunday, February 25, 2024. The repatriation of the two fishermen was successful after taking steps such as approaching and communicating with local authorities.
According to the official website of the Indonesian Foreign Ministry, information about the detention was first obtained from the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries on February 5, 2024. The two fishermen were detained by local authorities for allegedly entering Malaysian waters without valid documents.
"The repatriation of the two fishermen took place on February 25, 2024, at 04:40 p.m. Penang time, using a flight from Penang to Medan. The latest information we received is that the two fishermen have arrived at Kuala Namu Airport, North Sumatra, and were received by the Belawan PSDKP to continue their journey to Aceh," said Consul General of Indonesia in Penang, Wanton Saragih.
Subsequently, the Indonesian Citizen Protection Task Force at the Consulate General of Indonesia in Penang communicated with the Kuala Muda Kedah District Police (IPD), the police station that detained the two fishermen on February 12, 2024. During the meeting, officials from the Consulate General in Penang successfully negotiated with the Kuala Muda Kedah IPD that the two fishermen entered Malaysian waters unintentionally, due to engine damage to the boat they were on.
According to information received from the two fishermen, they sailed from North Aceh on January 31, 2024, to fish. On February 1, 2024, the boat they were on experienced engine damage, causing the boat to be carried away by the current and drift into Malaysian waters. The boat was then rescued by the Kedah Maritime Police on February 3, 2024.
Wanton Saragih stated that the success of releasing the two fishermen from the detention of the Kuala Muda Kedah IPD was due to good cooperation with relevant authorities and the quick response from the Indonesian Citizen Protection Task Force in Penang.
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