On August 11, 2024, eight Indonesian fishermen from Natuna were officially handed over to the Natuna district government by Indonesia’s Maritime and Security Agency (Bakamla) after being detained by Malaysian authorities in April. The fishermen were returned following a handover ceremony held on Bakamla’s patrol ship at Selat Lampa Port on Natuna Besar Island.
The fishermen, residents of Subi and Pulau Tiga Subdistricts in the Natuna Island District, had been held by Malaysia for allegedly trespassing their territorial waters. They were reunited with their families on August 10, after their release by the Malaysian court.
This incident is part of a broader pattern of Indonesian fishermen being detained by neighboring countries for alleged poaching or trespassing. Past cases include detentions by Thai authorities in 2021 and 2020, and Indian authorities in 2020. Efforts by Indonesian diplomatic channels have often resulted in the eventual release and return of these fishermen.
The recent return of the eight Natuna fishermen highlights ongoing issues of maritime disputes and illegal fishing in Southeast Asia. Indonesian fishermen have frequently faced detainment by neighboring countries such as Malaysia, Thailand, and India, often due to allegations of trespassing or poaching in foreign waters. Such incidents are part of broader regional tensions over fishing rights and territorial boundaries. Efforts by Indonesian authorities and diplomatic channels typically aim to resolve these issues and secure the release of detained fishermen.