Escort back any accidently-entered Malaysian boats - Zahid

Neighbouring countries should adhere to maritime agreement when encroachment happens, said Home Minister Datuk Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

“If any Malaysian fishermen accidentally enter into Indonesian waters, there is no need to sink their boats. Just escort them back to the Malaysian waters,” said Ahmad Zahid as reported by online portal The Rakyat Post.

He urged the authorities of both the countries to work together and focus on unity and cooperation between them.

“How can we look after Malaysian fishes that go to Indonesian waters? Or the Indonesian fishes that enter ours? They don’t have passports,” Ahmad Zahid was quoted.

Under the leadership of Indonesian president Joko Widodo, the republic has taken aggressive efforts to curb the issue, even more so after it was estimated that the loss sustained was close to US$24 billion (RM84 billion).

On Friday, Indonesian navy sank three Vietnamese boats, which was first held for illegal fishing in the waters of Riau Island.

"We will measure objectively whether the sinking of foreign vessels will increase our catch, increase exports, and increase the fishermen's welfare," President Joko Widodo wrote in his Facebook page, Sunday.

He added, the local navy will tighten security to ensure that the waters are free from illegal fishing.

Jokowi said that the sinking of foreign vessels has nothing to do about indicating power or a political show but it is about the principal of sovereignty.