2 Indonesian fishing boats enter S'pore waters on Dec. 24, intercepted by police coast guard

A Singapore Police Coast Guard (PCG) boat was accused of causing an Indonesian fisherman to fall into the sea by creating large waves near the Singapore-Indonesia sea border on Dec. 24, 2024.

Several Indonesian news outlets also published footage appearing to show the fisherman being rescued by other Indonesian fishermen.

In response to media queries, the Singapore Police Force (SPF) said it is aware of the news articles and the video, which was recorded by fishermen.

According to the police, the incident took place while the fishermen were fishing in Singapore territorial waters adjacent to Tuas on Christmas Eve.

As such, the PCG "took appropriate enforcement action" to prevent further encroachment by the fishermen.

Accusations

Speaking to CNN Indonesia, the fisherman who allegedly fell into the sea said the incident happened while he and his father were fishing at sea at around 1:30pm on Dec. 24.

At the time, there were several other fishing vessels and fishermen fishing in the area as well, he added.

The fisherman said that when the PCG boat arrived and asked them to leave the waters, he and other fishermen did not want to comply initially because they "felt the area was within Indonesian fishing territory".

They eventually left after the waves allegedly created by the PCG boat caused his small boat to tilt, throwing him into the sea, claimed the fisherman.

Protest from Indonesian fishermen association

Upon learning about the incident, a chairman of the All-Indonesian Fishermen's Association (HNSI) of Riau Islands said they were "very disappointed" with the actions allegedly taken by PCG, reported Batam Pos.

He said it was "unlikely" for traditional fishermen to intentionally trespass national borders repeatedly, considering that fishery resources were mobile.

As such, the chairman accused PCG's actions of being "inhumane" and stated the association would "stage a protest" at the Singapore Consulate in Batam.

SPF statement

According to the police, PCG deployed its boats after its officers observed several Indonesian fishing vessels entering and exiting Singapore territorial waters multiple times from about 8:45am on Dec. 24.

The boats were sent to the vicinity to deter and stop unauthorised vessels from entering Singapore waters.

However, at around 1:20pm, two out of a group of five Indonesian fishing vessels were spotted by PCG officers entering Singapore waters further and heading northwest towards Tuas View Extension.

Therefore, a PCG boat intercepted the two fishing vessels to prevent them from further encroachment, said the police.

PCG officers then engaged the fishermen onboard the fishing vessels and advised them to leave as unauthorised vessels were prohibited from entering the area.

The fishermen eventually acceded and left Singapore waters at around 1:40pm, stated the police.

Singapore Consulate in Batam engaged Indonesian stakeholders

The police added that the Singapore Consulate in Batam has "engaged various Indonesian stakeholders on this incident at their requests" and "will continue doing so".

At the same time, PCG will continue to execute its duties within Singapore waters "in a professional and safe manner".

"Foreign vessels should comply with the instructions of Singapore authorities when in Singapore territorial water," stated the police.

Top images via Batampos/TikTok