Nineteen Indonesian Fishermen Arrested in Thailand; Foreign Ministry Provides Legal Assistance
Jakarta - The Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Kemlu RI) has confirmed that nineteen Indonesian fishing crew members arrested by Thai maritime authorities in Phuket waters early this week have been receiving legal assistance from the Indonesian Consulate in Songkhla.
In a written statement confirmed in Jakarta on Saturday, Acting Director for Protection of Indonesian Citizens at Kemlu RI Heni Hamidah stated that the nineteen Indonesian crew members from two fishing vessels were arrested during a maritime operation on Tuesday, 10 March Thailand time, following suspected illegal fishing activities.
Among the nineteen crew members, one is a minor aged 16 years old. The Indonesian Consulate in Songkhla has visited the crew members to communicate with them and provide logistical assistance.
“The Songkhla Consulate continues coordinating with Thai authorities to ensure the case is handled in accordance with procedures, particularly for the crew member who is a minor,” Heni stated.
Based on initial communication with the Indonesian crew members, all are confirmed to be in good health, the official said.
Currently, the Indonesian crew members are being held at Phuket’s court detention facility and there is a possibility they will be transferred to the provincial prison for further legal proceedings.
“The Indonesian representation will continue monitoring developments in this case and will ensure that the rights of Indonesian citizens are protected throughout the legal process in Thailand,” Heni added.
The Indonesian crew members are from East Aceh Regency in Aceh Province and came from two separate vessels. They reportedly entered Thai waters illegally.
The two vessels from East Aceh were KM Anak Manja 02, weighing 26 gross tonnes with 13 crew members and one captain, and KM Jalur Gaza, weighing 7 gross tonnes with four crew members and one captain.
In response to the incident, East Aceh Regent Iskandar Usman Al-Farlaky confirmed he had written to the Indonesian Foreign Minister requesting central government attention regarding the arrest of crew members from his regency.
“We have written to the Indonesian Foreign Minister through the Directorate General for Protection of Indonesian Citizens regarding the nineteen East Aceh fishermen who were arrested and detained by Thai authorities,” said Iskandar Usman Al-Farlaky when contacted from Banda Aceh on Saturday.
Regent Iskandar expressed hope that Kemlu RI would follow up on the letter and assist in facilitating the handling of the Indonesian crew members so they could return home to Indonesia soon.