Indonesia, Malaysia to Discuss Maritime Issues
Malaysia and Indonesia will discuss maritime issues, including the detention of Malaysian fishing vessels as well as their common sea borders.
The countries will continue discussions to find solutions to the maritime boundary issues through the existing mechanism, according to Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Anifah Aman. He has met his Indonesian counterpart Retno Marsudi for high level talks.
Anifah Aman said the seizure of the vessels and subsequent detention of several Malaysians was among the topics discussed with Retno.
Border encroachment is a common issue between the two neighbours, with the latest case being several Malaysian fishing vessels and Malaysian nationals detained in Indonesian waters for alleged illegal fishing.
Since President Joko Widodo adopted a stricter maritime policy in his bid to combat illegal fishing in the republic’s vast seas, which account for two-thirds of Indonesia’s territory, several Malaysian fishing vessels and Malaysian nationals were detained in Indonesian waters recently.
Widodo recently warned that foreign fishing boats operating illegally in Indonesian waters would be subjected to “shock therapy” sinkings.
The new measure was part of efforts to protect Indonesia’s resource-rich waters, which are encroached by an estimated 5,400 foreign vessels daily - the majority of which are illegal, Widodo stressed.
