Police defend move to send Thais home

Police defend move to send Thais home

PONTIANAK, West Kalimantan: West Kalimantan Police spokesman
Comr. Suhadi S.W. said here on Monday that the recent
repatriation of 238 Thai fishermen from the province was lawful.

He was responding to public criticism that the repatriation of
the fishermen and the return of their six fishing boats violated
prevailing procedures.

Suhadi said that the decision to repatriate the fishermen was
made after consulting the provincial fisheries and marine
resources office, the regional police and the immigration office.

"We sent them home because we feared the spread of diseases
that they may have been carrying while staying in Indonesia. So
the allegation that we received bribes is not true," he added.
--Antara