Malaysia and Indonesia agree to let straying fishermen go

Malaysia and Indonesia have always had a tense relationship though their people share similar cultures, religion and language. On a political scale, many disputes revolve around borders and what area of land or sea belongs to which country.

Indonesian fishing boat.

Fishermen from both countries have been taken into custody by the other for crossing maritime borders, especially those that are still under dispute. However, such arrests will cease after an agreement between the two countries recently.

According to a Bernama report from Nusa Dua, in Bali, fishermen who stray into their neighbour's countries will no longer be arrested but, instead, asked to leave. The guidelines were finalised after meetings between Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak and Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.

The report indicates that the maritime borders focus on five segments: two in the Straits of Malacca and one each in the Straits of Singapore, South China Sea and the Sulawesi Sea.

There is no problem of our fishing boat straying into foreign territory. We are moored off the east coast of Malaysia in Kuala Besut and the farthest we go is Redang Island, about six hours' away from the jetty. And there's little chance of bumping into illegal Indonesian fisherfolk either, given that Kalimantan is hundreds of miles away.

We might come across Thai boats plying the area but even that is rare. Thailand have rich fishing waters of their own and there is no need to come all the way to Malaysia.

Book your trip with us now. Squid is already flourishing in the waters off Besut though it is too dangerous for trips now because of the weather. However, enquiries are flowing in for the season's start in April so contact us now at fishingmalaysia@yahoo.com.