VIVAnews - After more than ten days in detention, 24 traditional fishermen of Pagurawan and Medang Deras Sub-district, Batubara Regency, North Sumatera, were finally released by the Malaysian Marine Police. These fishermen were detained for committing illegal fishing in the Malaysian waters.
All fishermen arrived in Indonesia on Wednesday night, March 4, through Belawan port, Medan, North Sumatra. The fishermen were released after a negotiation between the advocate team of Indonesian fishermen and the Marine Police of Perak District, Malaysia, was carried out.
The fishermen had been previously detained in the Perak District Marine Police's prison for committing illegal fishing in Datuk Island waters situated 40 miles off the coast of Batubara Sub-district on Dec 16.
"When they were arrested, they admitted that they were casting their traditional fish net. I am in fact convinced that they were still in the Indonesian territory," said Darius, one of the advocate team members on Thursday, March 5.
Darius said that it is impossible for them to commit illegal fishing in the Malaysian waters because they only utilized a boat having the capacity of less than five GT. Moreover, the fishermen's boat was not equipped by any navigating device.
"We are still looking for another eleven fishermen that are still detained in Malaysia. The team will also collaborate with the North Sumatra administration to release them," he added.
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Coverage: Budi Satria | (ANTV) Medan
Translated by: Ariyantri E. Tarman
