Family members of two Malaysian fishermen detained by Indonesian authorities for suspected illegal fishing in Indonesian waters last month have been flown to Batam as part of efforts to secure the fishermen’s release.

The group departed from the Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport in Subang Jaya this morning, accompanied by Sungai Besar Umno division chief Jamal Md Yunos.

“We will be presenting (to Indonesian authorities) our evidence to show the vessels were detained while still in Malaysian waters.

“There were also prior negotiations between Wisma Putra and the authorities. Based on its outcome, we are departing to Batam today,” said Jamal, adding that their first stop would be to check on the conditions of the fishing boats from Sekinchan.

“Tomorrow morning we will take a ferry from Batam to Tanjung Pinang and meet with the Indonesian enforcement officers, as well as the fishermen in detention,” Jamal said.

Wisma Putra in a statement last week said Foreign Minister Anifah Aman had personally undertaken concerted efforts to address the matter, including securing the release of the fishing boats and their crew members.

The three vessels - identified as KM SLFA 4625, KM KHF1917 and KM PKFB 1512 - were reportedly detained on March 3, along with 14 crew members.

Each vessel has an estimated value of between RM700,000 and RM1 million.

Of the 14 arrested, two are Malaysian citizens and the rest comprise three Indonesians and nine from Myanmar.

Local media reports in Indonesia have quoted marine authorities as identifying the two Malaysians as captains of the vessels; the three Indonesians as the navigators and the nine from Myanmar as “human trafficking victims” employed as crew members.

According to the reports, the total catch in all three ships had amounted to almost one tonne, and largely preserved using formalin.

Indonesian authorities are reportedly investigating the fishermen for suspected illegal fishing and fishing using equipment, such as trawler nets, which are banned under its laws.

The use of such equipment are not banned in Malaysian waters.

‘Ministers to meet soon’

Meawnhile, Malaysiakini understands that Agriculture and Agro-based Industries Minister Ahmad Shabery Cheek has arranged for a meeting in Jakarta with his counterpart from Indonesia, Susi Pudjiastuti, to discuss the issue.

“We were told the minister (Susi) is currently overseas,” an aide to Shabery told Malaysiakini.

The Fisheries Department is an agency under Shabery’s ministry.

Susi, in a recent interview with The Wall Street Journal revealed that Malaysian vessels were among 170 foreign ships seized and blown up by her ministry since 2014, after being found guilty of illegal fishing.

Susi has taken the tough approach to reportedly fulfil President Joko Widodo’s ambition to make Indonesia’s seas a key focus of his administration.