Penang: Two fishermen from Aceh were released by Malaysian authorities on Sunday, February 25. Both were released by the Belantik Immigration Depot, Kedah State Immigration Department Malaysia.
The repatriation of the two fishermen was successfully carried out after steps were taken, including approaching and communicating with authorities such as the Kuala Muda District Office (Police) and the Belantik Immigration Depot.
Information about the detention of the two fishermen was first obtained by the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (MMAF) on February 5.
"They were detained because they were deemed by the local authorities to have entered Malaysian waters without valid documents," said the Consulate General of the Republic of Indonesia in Penang (KJRI Penang) on Monday, February 26, 2024.
Subsequently, the WNI Protection Task Force of KJRI Penang communicated with the Kuala Muda District Office (Police) in Kedah. This was followed by a visit from the Consul General of the Republic of Indonesia in Penang, Wanton Saragih, along with officials from KJRI Penang to the Kuala Muda District Office (Police), the police station that detained the two fishermen on February 12.
During the meeting, the KJRI Penang managed to align perceptions with the Kuala Muda District Office (Police) that the two fishermen accidentally entered Malaysian waters due to engine damage to the boat they were aboard.
Based on information received from the two fishermen, they sailed from North Aceh on January 31 to fish. Unfortunately, on February 1, the boat they were on experienced engine trouble.
"As a result, the boat was carried away by the current and drifted into Malaysian waters," they explained.
The boat was then rescued by the Kedah Maritime Police on February 3, 2024.
Consul Wanton said that the successful release of the two fishermen was the result of cooperation from various related parties. This, he continued, also demonstrates the commitment of the WNI Protection Task Force of KJRI Penang.
"The repatriation of the two fishermen was carried out on February 25, 2024, at 16:40 local time in Penang using a flight from Penang to Medan," he said.
"The latest development we received is that the two fishermen have arrived at Kuala Namu Airport, North Sumatra, and were received by Belawan PSDKP to continue their journey to Aceh," Consul Wanton concluded.
Read also: Indonesians Should Consume Domestic Fish Products: Ministry
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