Fishermen burn foreign boat

WEST ACEH, Aceh: Dozens of local fishermen raided and burned on Tuesday a foreign boat for allegedly fishing illegally in the Teunom waters, about 200 kilometers southeast of Aceh capital's Banda Aceh.

Armed with sharp weapons, the angry fishermen captured 17 people aboard the wooden boat before setting it ablaze.

The foreigners were then searched and brought to the local police precinct in Meulaboh, about 45 kilometers away from the shore.

According to Syahrul Husin, 50, the custom leader overseeing the waters, the local fishermen were angry with foreign counterparts who continued to fish illegally.

"We are sick of the foreign robbers. They use pukat harimau (local term for trawler) and cause damage to the sea's environment. The government cannot do much to stop it," he said.

He said the identity of the foreigners remained unclear.

"They do not speak English or Malay. They do not carry any identity cards either. But judging from their faces, I think they come from Thailand," he said.

West Aceh police chief Lt. Col. Her Aris Sumarman confirmed the arrest on Tuesday, but complained about communication problems with the foreign fishermen. (50/edt)