Thai, RI bandits collect 'tax' from Malaysians

Thai, RI bandits collect 'tax' from Malaysians

KUALA LUMPUR (DPA): Thai and Indonesian bandits using
speedboats and armed with M-16 automatic rifles are preying on
Malaysian fishermen to collect "taxes" for straying into
international waters to fish in the Straits of Malacca, a report
said yesterday.

Police have warned local fishermen to stay within Malaysian
waters after several were recently kidnapped and held until
ransoms were paid to the bandits, the Star newspaper said.

There have been five kidnappings between April and May, and
police believe two syndicates are operating in Thai and
Indonesian waters.

The bandits typically harass Malaysian fishermen to pay up to
5,000 ringgit (US$1,250) before they allow them to fish in
foreign waters.

Last month, three fishermen were taken hostage to Indonesia's
Batam island and freed only after a 14,000 ringgit ransom was
paid.

Police said no action can be taken against the bandits because
the crimes occurred outside Malaysian waters and the local
fishermen were trespassing.

"Although it is an offense to trespass into other countries'
territorial waters, local fishermen are willing to take the risk
as the catch is very lucrative," a police source said, adding
that one catch alone could fetch 10,000 ringgit.

Local fishermen have taken to straying about 15 minutes from
the international border and speeding back into Malaysian waters
when they spot the bandits approaching.

Malaysian police are now liaising with their Thai and
Indonesian counterparts to investigate the attacks.