Inp.polri.go.id - Medan. The Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries has seized two Malaysian-flagged vessels suspected of illegal fishing in the Malacca Strait, officials confirmed Thursday (29/5/2025).

“The two vessels are now under investigation by fisheries civil investigators at the PSDKP Belawan Station,” said Director General of Marine and Fisheries Resources Surveillance, Pung Nugroho Saksono, as quoted by antara news.com.

The vessels were caught operating without Indonesian permits and using banned trawl nets in national waters on 26 May 2025. Authorities estimate potential economic losses averted at Rp19.9 billion.

Interestingly, all crew members were Indonesians believed to be working illegally in Malaysia, lured by wages of Rp 5 to Rp 10 million per month.

One vessel, KM SLFA 5210 (43.34 GT), carried 300 kg of mixed fish with four Indonesian crew members. The second, KM SLFA 4584 (27.16 GT), held 150 kg of fish with three crew.

The suspects may face up to eight years in prison and fines up to Rp 1.5 billion under the Fisheries Law.

(mg/inp/pr/rs)