Indonesia, Malaysia apply tougher measures to foreign fishermen’s illegal fishing
Amid increasing illegal fishing of foreign fishermen in the waters of Indonesia and Malaysia, the two Southeast Asian countries have recently applied more tough measures in handling violations.
MMEA nabbed a total of 40 crew members for trespassing and for illegally fishing off the waters of Terengganu. (Photo: Bernama)
Hanoi (VNA) –Amid increasing illegal fishing of foreign fishermen in the waters of Indonesiaand Malaysia, the two Southeast Asian countries have recently applied more tough measures in handling violations.
🃏 Indonesian Ministerof Marine Affairs and Fisheries Edhy Brabowo has announced that his country will not sinkforeign fishing vessels seized for illegal fishing in Indonesian waters.
Instead, after thecourt's decision comes into effect, the ministry will conduct procedures to handover infringing fishing vessels to local cooperatives as well as educationalinstitutions, as these facilities arelacking ships to practice.
In special cases, thesinking of a foreign fishing vessel may take place if the fishing vesselresists when captured by Indonesian marine resources and fisheries supervision agencies, Brabowo said.
Meanwhile, Malaysia hasincreased the maximum penalty for foreign ship owners or captains arrested forencroaching on Malaysian waters to 6 million ringgit (about 1.38 million USD)from 1 million ringgit, and each crew member will be fined 600,000 ringgit.
However, as illegalfishing continues to increase and causes a loss of around 6 billion ringgit (1.4billion USD) for the Malaysian economy each year, the country has recentlyincreased its arrest of foreign fishing boats caught fishing illegally in its waters instead of just chasing away during Malaysia's application of the MovementControl Order (MCO).
In late June, Director of the Terengganu Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) Suffi Mohd Ramli said the makingof decisions to detain foreign fishermen who conduct illegal fishingactivities in Malaysia’s waters will be conducted through online meetings,instead of at the court as in the past.
💙 MMEA DirectorGeneral Admiral Mohd Zubil Bin Mat Som said that his country would continue arrest of violating foreign fishing vessels and fishermen, and tougher measures will beapplied to them./.
Malaysian Minister of Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry Salahuddin Ayub and Indonesia’s Marine and Fisheries Minister Susi Pudjiastuti have discussed issues related to fisheries and illegal fishing in the waters of both countries.
Indonesia's state-owned aerospace company Dirgantara Indonesia on December 30 rolled out two prototypes of new medium-altitude long endurance unmanned aerial vehicle (MALE UAV) designed for both civilian and military uses.
Total trade between Indonesia and New Zealand in the first half of 2025 reached 963.23 million USD, an increase of 21.56% compared to 792.39 million USD in the same period last year. Of this amount, Indonesia's exports to New Zealand totaled 374.89 million USD, while imports 588.35 million USD
Malaysia, as ASEAN 2025 Chair, marked the bloc’s 58th founding anniversary on August 8 with a vibrant celebration in Cyberjaya, blending an official ceremony with a colorful cultural festival.
Vietnam plays an important role in Southeast Asia’s economic growth and is a key partner of her country in realising the shared vision of a peaceful, stable, and prosperous region, said Robyn Mudie, First Assistant Secretary of Office of Southeast Asia (OSA) – Southeast Asia Regional and Mainland Division at Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).
The 2025 ASEAN Business Community Development (ABCD) Forum, themed “Empowering ASEAN's Next Leap: Digital, Sustainable & Entrepreneurial Transformation” brought together ministers, CEOs, and top industry experts to discuss key regional economic priorities.
The DES Ministry will seek cooperation from social media platforms to prevent the spread of fake news and monitor accounts related to such activities, he told reporters after chairing a meeting of the newly established Anti-Fake News Centre (AFNC).
The Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking identified the US tariff reduction as a significant driver behind the improved economic outlook for Thailand.
Financial institutions and financial technology (fintech) players are intensifying their focus on expanding across the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), adopting tailored strategies to strengthen their presence in the region’s digital financial services landscape.
Featuring a permanent exhibition area, the ASEAN Hall will function both as a cultural showcase and as a dynamic venue for ASEAN-related events and programmes. Its inauguration on ASEAN Day added symbolic weight, marking a fresh milestone in ASEAN–RoK relations.
Thailand’s Ministry of Commerce and rice exporters are devising strategic plans to boost rice exports amid global market fluctuations, focusing on key markets and adjusting output.
The focus of the upcoming ASEAN Summit in October will be on strengthening economic relations through intra-regional trade and investment, as well as regional initiatives on energy networks and connectivity.
Indonesian Ambassador Rina P. Soemarno, who currently serves as Chair of the ASEAN Committee in Prague, emphasised the spirit of regional solidarity and cooperation, and the importance of enhancing ASEAN–Czech Republic relations.
The Indonesian Government is determined to seize opportunities to enhance the competitiveness of national agricultural products, an official has said, adding that it always strives to promote exports at the highest possible level, based on a mutually beneficial foundation.
Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira has outlined a six-point strategy to promote innovation, support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and push for Thailand's removal from the US Trade Representative (USTR)’s special 301 Watch List regarding intellectual property rights protection among trading partners.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Israel Ly Duc Trung emphasised ASEAN’s central role in regional mechanisms such as the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) and the East Asia Summit (EAS), highlighting its significant contribution to promoting peace, stability, and prosperity in Southeast Asia.
The consumer index of the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC), fell to 51.7 in July from 52.7 in the previous month. The sluggish economy and the trade war, as well as high living costs, continue to undermine confidence, the university said.
Deputy Speaker of the Hungarian National Assembly Istvan Jakab expressed his hope for further deepening Hungary’s ties with ASEAN countries and called for their support for Hungary’s accession to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia.
The 30-storey tower crumbled seconds after a 7.7-magnitude earthquake hit neighbouring Myanmar on March 28. The partially built high-rise, meant to house the State Audit Office (SAO), was the only building in Thailand to collapse, killing 89 people on the site, mostly construction workers.
Indonesia’s waste generation is projected to exceed 50 million tonnes in 2025. Of the total, more than 20 million tonnes could potentially enter the ocean through rivers, coastal areas, small islands, ports, and marine activities, and thereby, pose a risk to coastal ecosystems and marine biota.
Indonesia is accelerating plans to increase lithium imports, particularly from Australia, in a bid to fill gaps in the electric vehicle (EV) battery supply chain and realise its ambition of becoming a global EV manufacturing hub.
MMEA nabbed a total of 40 crew members for trespassing and for illegally fishing off the waters of Terengganu. (Photo: Bernama) 
