Indonesia wants its nationals to shelve fishing activities in ESSZone waters

The Indonesian Consulate in Tawau wants all Indonesian nationals working in the fishing industry in the districts of Kunak, Lahad Datu, Tawau and Semporna in the Eastern Sabah Security Zone (ESSZone), to temporarily stop their fishing activities there.

Its chief representative, Krishna Dielani said the advisory was valid until the Malaysian government could guarantee the safety of the Indonesian fishermen employed in these four districts.

"On Tuesday, the consulate held a meeting with 10 employers in the fishing industry and fishermen's association representatives where they were informed that the Indonesian fishermen need to temporarily stop their fishing activities until their safety in the ESSZone waters is ensured.

"If this advisory is not abided by the Indonesian fishermen, they have to bear the risks including kidnapping," he told reporters, here, Friday.

Krishna said to date, there were 1,500 Indonesian fishermen employed in the four districts.

On Nov 19, two Indonesian fishermen were kidnapped in the waters of Merabung, Lahad Datu, about two weeks after a kidnapping incident involving two others occurred in the Kertam waters of Kinabatangan, Sandakan.

Krishna said besides fishermen, Indonesian nationals employed in the tourism and commercial sectors in the waters of the four districts also needed to suspend their work activities.

"This is in view of the security situation in the Sabah waters that border the Philippines where there had been frequent incidents of kidnapping for ransom involving Indonesian victims of late."

He said Indonesian nationals affected by the advisory should return to Indonesia or do other work which did not require them to be at sea.

Krishna also said that Indonesian nationals in the ESSZone should follow the security rulings including the curfew order issued by the Malaysian authority.

"If there'a an emergency situation involving Indonesians, particularly in Lahad Datu, Kunak, Semporna and Tawau, they should immediately report it to the nearest police station or call the Indonesian Consulate in Tawau at 089-772052 or 089-752969," he added. - BERNAMA