Malaysian fishermen, KJRI Johor and Indonesian water police coordinate cross-border rescue and handover.
Two fishermen from Pulau Pecong in Batam have returned safely to their families after drifting at sea for eight days when their boat engine failed and currents carried them into Malaysian waters.
Eight Days Adrift After Engine Failure
The incident began when two fishermen left Pulau Pecong, Batam, on a pompong (small wooden boat) to fish in nearby waters. Partway through their trip, the boat’s engine failed, leaving them unable to maneuver and at the mercy of currents. Over the following days, winds and tides pushed the disabled vessel across the maritime boundary into Malaysian waters. With limited means to call for help and no propulsion, the men drifted for eight days before finally being spotted at sea.
Malaysian Fishermen Rescue And Transfer To KJRI
The stranded Indonesians were discovered by Malaysian fishermen, who brought them aboard and secured the damaged pompong. They were then handed over to officials at the Consulate General of the Republic of Indonesia (KJRI) in Malaysia for initial processing and welfare checks. Himpunan Nelayan Seluruh Indonesia (HNSI) Riau Islands chairman Distrawandi said the Malaysian fishermen’s intervention and KJRI’s quick handling were key to ensuring the men’s safety while cross-border coordination was arranged.
Joint Pickup At Indonesia–Malaysia Maritime Border
Indonesia’s Barelang City Police water unit (Satpolair Polresta Barelang) conducted the formal pickup of the fishermen on Thursday, May 7, at the maritime border between Indonesia and Malaysia. Distrawandi and HNSI Riau Islands deputy chair Jeki accompanied the handover to verify the men’s condition. The fishermen arrived back in Batam at about 1:30 p.m. local time, where they underwent brief data collection before being released to their families. Distrawandi said both men were in good physical health and, importantly, were able to return with their fishing gear and pompong.
Officials Praise Cross-Border And Agency Cooperation
HNSI Kepri publicly thanked the Riau Islands provincial government, the Marine and Fisheries Department, Polda Kepri, Polresta Barelang—especially its water police unit—along with the harbormaster’s office (KSOP) and Batam’s Marine and Fisheries Branch Office for facilitating the rescue and repatriation. Distrawandi highlighted that border areas pose high risks for fishermen, particularly in bad weather or when technical failures occur. He said strong ties between Indonesia and Malaysia, supported by KJRI’s involvement, played a decisive role in speeding up the rescue and return process.
Border Waters And Ongoing Safety Challenges
The case underscores the dangers fishermen face in shared border waters, where sudden engine trouble can quickly turn into a life-threatening situation far from shore. It also illustrates how formal and informal networks—from local fishermen to national agencies—must work together when emergencies cross maritime boundaries. For Indonesians and Singaporeans, particularly in the busy straits around Batam, the successful operation shows how cross-border cooperation, clear communication channels and rapid agency response can turn a potentially tragic drift at sea into a safe homecoming.
The safe return of the two Pulau Pecong fishermen after eight days adrift highlights both the hazards of working in border seas and the value of strong Indonesia–Malaysia cooperation, backed by HNSI and multiple state agencies. For Indonesians and Singaporeans, the incident is a reminder that protecting coastal livelihoods in these shared waters depends on sustained cross-border rescue arrangements, effective consular support and continuous efforts to improve small-boat safety and emergency preparedness.
Sources: Batampos (2026) , Jawa Pos (2026)
Keywords: Pulau Pecong Incident, Engine Failure At Sea, Malaysian Fishermen Rescue, KJRI Malaysia Handover, Distrawandi Statement, Barelang Water Police
