Illegal fishing: Authorities identifying Malaysian fishermen held in Indonesia

The Malaysian Fisheries Development Board (LKIM) is in the midst of identifying a group of Malaysian fishermen detained in Indonesian waters for illegal fishing.

LKIM chairman Datuk Irmohizam Ibrahim said the identification process will be done through the registration number of the boats used.

"Sometimes, when we receive information, the boat's registration number exists but the boat doesn't necessarily belong to us.

"We are trying to identify the fishermen through the registration numbers of they boats they used," he told Astro AWANI when contacted.

Irmohizam also said he has contacted the Indonesian Embassy to get more details about the incident.

"We're also awaiting feedback from Wisma Putra and the Malaysian Armed Forces on the fishermen's location," he said.

When asked about a media report quoting Indonesian President Joko Widodo on his plan to sink the boats to teach the fishermen a lesson, Irmohizam said he will wait for Wisma Putra’s official response before commenting on the matter.

"The most important thing now is to ensure our fishermen are safe," he added.

It was reported that Indonesia had detained some 200 Malaysian fishermen who were found fishing illegally in its territorial waters on Wednesday.

The move came following Jokowi's assertive stance towards rampant illegal fishing in its waters, which had caused a loss of US$24.7 billion (RM92.1 billion) to the country annually.

"There is no need to arrest them (the illegal fishing boats); just sink them.

"Sink 10 to 20 (ships). It will make them (the illegal fishermen) think. But, remember to rescue the crew on-board first," he was quoted as saying.