REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, MEDAN -- The All Indonesian Fishermen's Association (HNSI) has called on every element in Indonesia to support the recent arrest of a Chinese fishing vessel by the Indonesian authroties.
"HNSI also gives a full support (to the arrest)," North Sumatra's HNSI Chairman Syah Afandin said here, Sunday.
The courage to detain the Chinese fishing trawler for poaching in Natuna waters, Riau Islands, showed that Indonesia has upheld its sovereignty, he said.
He lauded Indonesia's maritime security authorities for being fearless in carrying out the arrest despite the presence of a Chinese government's ship.
"The bravery should be lauded because it is to protect Indonesia's territory," he said.
He said it was normal for China to lodge a protest but in this case Indonesia was protecting its sovereignty.
Indonesia's naval ship Oswal Siahaan-354 detained Chinese fishing trawler Gui Bei Yu for poaching in Natuna Sea, Riau Islands, in late May 2016.
The warship was forced to fire several warning shots against the Chinese fishing boat before finally detaining it.
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