KUALA LUMPUR- The Indonesian Consulate General (KJRI) in Johor Bahru, in collaboration with the Western Maritime Zone, the Indonesian Maritime Security Agency (BAKAMLA RI), and the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (APMM), successfully facilitated the repatriation of 16 Indonesian fishermen along with their vessels at the Indonesia-Malaysia sea border.

According to the statement from KJRI Johor Bahru, on Thursday, the handover of the 16 traditional fishermen and their vessels took place aboard the BAKAMLA RI ship KN Pulau Nipah 321 at the sea border of the two nations.

Captain Kama Azri Kamil, representing the Johor State APMM, handed over the 16 Indonesian nationals to Indonesian Consul General in Johor Bahru, Sigit S Widiyanto. He then passed them on to First Admiral Bambang Trijanto, head of the Western Maritime Zone of BAKAMLA RI. The event was also witnessed by BAKAMLA RI’s Director of Sea Operations, Admiral Basri Mustari.

The repatriation included 13 crew members of KM Surya Indah 10 from Bintan and Lingga, Riau Islands, who were detained by APMM on April 25, 2024, for allegedly illegal fishing in Malaysian waters. The remaining three fishermen were from KM Bintang Jaya 9, rescued by the Royal Malaysian Navy near Pulau Tioman, Johor, on July 5, 2024, and subsequently handed over to APMM.

On June 24, a court in Kota Tinggi fined the captain of KM Surya Indah 10 RM 1 million (approximately IDR 3.45 billion) or five months’ imprisonment. The other 13 fishermen from the same vessel were acquitted. Throughout the legal proceedings, they were supported by lawyers provided by KJRI Johor Bahru, which also ensured the return of KM Surya Indah 10 to Indonesia.