Singaporean boat captain hit with third set of charges by Indonesia
Reuters file photo
SINGAPORE — Shoo Chiau Huat, a Singaporean boat captain who has been detained in a Tanjung Pinang jail since last April, has been hit with a third set of charges by the Indonesian authorities for violations under their Shipping Law, the Republic's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) said in media statement on Tuesday (April 4).
This follows two earlier rounds of charges meted out against Shoo last year — the first, for illegal fishing and trespassing, and the second, for immigration offences.
Shoo, 51, was acquitted on the first set of charges on July 11 last year. But on January 17 this year, he was found guilty of the second set of charges.
He is presently serving a five-month jail sentence in Tanjung Pinang, the provincial capital of Indonesia's Riau Islands.
Shoo, who was detained on April 16 last year, has been behind bars for nearly a year.
He was ferrying 13 recreational anglers on the MV Serlin last year when his boat was stopped by Indonesian Navy boats off Bintan Island for trespassing.
He was charged with illegal fishing in Indonesian waters, with the prosecutors seeking a two-year jail sentence and a 1.5 billion rupiah (S$157,424) fine.
Shoo was acquitted, but he was detained for almost three more months before the Indonesian authorities filed new charges of immigration offences against him on October 5 last year. The captain was convicted of these offences on January 17 and fined 50 million rupiah, or a five-month jail term in lieu.
“MFA also understands that an appeal had been filed with the Supreme Court against Shoo’s earlier acquittal for his illegal fishing charges,” said a Singapore foreign ministry spokesman.
Reiterating a call that Shoo’s cases be processed expeditiously by the Indonesian authorities, the spokesman added: “The Singapore Government respects the laws and judicial process of Indonesia in connection with Mr Shoo’s case, but remains deeply concerned over his prolonged detention and long-drawn judicial process.
“The consecutive charges and multiple trials have extended the time Mr Shoo has spent in detention.”
The MFA also reminded Singaporeans who operate pleasure crafts, recreational fishing vessels and yachts, as well as Singaporeans engaging in business activities in Indonesia, to familiarise themselves with Indonesian laws and judicial processes.
