Boat captain detained by Indonesian authorities was within Singapore waters: MFA
The tiny island of Pedra Branca, where Singapore administers a lighthouse, sits at the entrance to the Singapore Strait about 30 km (19 miles) east of the city state and 15 km off peninsular Malaysia's southern coast on January 6, 2003. Photo: Reuters
SINGAPORE — The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) on Wednesday (March 15) declared — for the first time — that the crew and passengers of the vessel Seven Seas Conqueress were within Singapore waters off Pedra Branca last August when they were detained by the Indonesian navy, and there is no basis for the detention.
The Republic has “strongly protested” against the Indonesian government’s actions, and is seeking the immediate release of Singaporean captain Ricky Tan Poh Hui, who remains in Indonesian custody, an MFA spokesman said.
Nine Singaporean passengers were released on Sept 1 last year, after spending more than a week in detention.
The spokesman said: “We have emphasised that there is no basis for Indonesia’s detention of the vessel, its crew and passengers, nor for the continued detention of and purported charges brought against Mr Tan in the Tanjung Pinang District Court.
“In addition, Singapore officials have communicated repeatedly with the relevant Indonesian authorities, at both the national and provincial level, to seek the immediate release of Mr Tan and the vessel, as well as the termination of any purported investigations against him.”
Upon being informed of Tan’s detention on Aug 21 last year, the MFA had repeatedly sought consular access to him. However, it was not until more than five months later — on Jan 24 — that Singapore consular officials were granted access to visit Tan, MFA said.
TODAY understands that MFA had also sent a series of diplomatic notes to the Indonesian Embassy in Singapore, conveying the Republic’s position on the detention and seeking cooperation in securing Tan’s immediate release. Tan was detained along with his three Indonesian crew, and nine Singaporean passengers, after his boat — the Seven Seas Conqueress — was stopped by the Indonesian authorities.
MFA reiterated that it will “persist in our efforts” to secure the immediate release of Tan and the vessel.
Tan’s case comes after another Singaporean boat captain, Shoo Chiau Huat, was detained off Bintan Island. Shoo was remanded by the Indonesian authorities since last April. He was initially charged with illegal fishing and trespassing, but was subsequently acquitted last July. New immigration charges were filed against Shoo in October last year and he was convicted on Jan 17 of these offences.
The MFA had said in January it was “deeply concerned with the long-drawn judicial process”. Shoo is serving a five-month prison sentence.
