For every single Malaysian vessel sunk by Indonesian authorities, the losses incurred can be as high as RM1 million.

Sekinchan state assemblyperson Ng Suee Lim told Malaysiakini that the average costs for a fishing boat from jetties under his constituency range from RM700,000 to RM1 million.

"Just recently, there were three boats detained. But since last December until March, in total there were seven ships from Sekinchan held by Indonesia.

"These are bigger vessels licensed under Class B," said Ng, in referring to the vessels detained over alleged trespass into Indonesian waters and illegal fishing.

In the most recent case, two out of three fishing vessels arrested arrested near Batam on March 3 were from Sekinchan while the other from Pulau Ketam.

While acknowledging Indonesia's right to take action under its law, Ng said the Malaysian authorities should have also been engaged in the investigation process.

This, he said, was because there are often disputes over whether the fishing vessels had actually crossed the border into Indonesian waters.

"Sometimes it is only one mile or even half a mile (difference). Our local fishermen are feeling threatened.

"If there was real proof of wrongdoings, maybe we can accept. But these disputes should be resolved in an open manner," he said.

Ng also noted that a failure by the Malaysian government to engage with its Indonesian counterparts had forced local leaders in Selangor, including Sungai Besar Umno division chief Jamal Yunos, to step up.

Commenting on investigations over the use of banned fishing equipment, Ng pointed out that use of the pukat tunda (purse seine) has not been banned in Malaysia.

Ng, however, admitted that the practice of employing migrant workers as crews on the vessels are unavoidable due to a shortage of locals with expertise to take on the job.

“They (boat owners) are forced to do it. They need to make a living.

"Our government should consider allowing owners to employ one or two foreign crews aboard their ship," he said, adding that the suggestion has been repeatedly raised in the past.