KJRI Johor Bahru Repatriates Four Indonesian Fishermen

The Consulate General of the Republic of Indonesia (KJRI) in Johor Bahru has facilitated the repatriation of four Indonesian citizens (WNI), identified as NF, H, Z, and A, who had been examined by Malaysian authorities over suspected boundary violations in the waters off Pulau Aur, Johor. The four fishermen, from Numbing Village, Bintan Pesisir District, Bintan Regency, Riau Islands, were crew members of KM Hai Yang 3 and KM Baruna Jaya. They were examined alongside two captains on 31 May 2026. Since receiving information about the examination, KJRI Johor Bahru actively provided consular protection through consular access, intensive coordination with the Malaysian Marine Police, Malaysian Fisheries Department, and Malaysian Immigration Department, as well as legal assistance via a retainer lawyer throughout the legal process. Consular Function Officer 3, Dhania Afini Lestari, stated that the four crew members were designated as witnesses, unlike the two captains who are currently undergoing further trial under Section 16(3) of the Fisheries Act 1985, facing fines or imprisonment. The four fishermen were subsequently transferred to the KJRI Johor Bahru Temporary Shelter while awaiting the completion of immigration documents for their return to Indonesia. KJRI Johor Bahru then facilitated the issuance of a Check Out Memo (COM) and Special Pass from the Malaysian Immigration Department as administrative requirements for repatriation. On 2 July 2026, at 9:00 a.m. Malaysian time, KJRI Johor Bahru escorted the four fishermen’s repatriation from Stulang Laut Port, Johor Bahru, to Tanjung Pinang, Riau Islands. KJRI Johor Bahru has also coordinated with relevant Indonesian agencies, including the Regional Border Management Agency and BP3MI Kepri, as well as Tanjung Pinang Immigration, to facilitate the fishermen’s onward journey from Tanjung Pinang to their home regions so they can reunite with their families. The two fishing vessels, KM Baruna Jaya and KM Hai Yang 3, with a total of six crew members, were detained by the Malaysian Marine Police on 31 May 2026 in waters around Pulau Aur, Johor. The six fishermen were suspected of entering Malaysian waters without permission and did not carry travel documents at the time of arrest. On 16 June 2026, the two captains, identified as M (35) and NF (25), stood trial at the Pengerang Court in Johor. The four crew members, Z (36), NF (38), A (49), and H (46), were not charged and held as witnesses. Following the trial, the four crew members were taken by the authorities to Johor Bahru.