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Abbott's boat buyback: Indonesian fishermen baffled, but happy to sell Abbott's boat buyback: Indonesian fishermen baffled, but happy to sell
(12 days later)
In the fishing village of Labuhan, West Java, a known departure point for boats ferrying asylum seekers to Australia, the machinations of Australian politics barely register.In the fishing village of Labuhan, West Java, a known departure point for boats ferrying asylum seekers to Australia, the machinations of Australian politics barely register.
Not one fisherman in Labuhan could name the Australian prime minister, or opposition leader Tony Abbott and his much derided boat buyback plan.Not one fisherman in Labuhan could name the Australian prime minister, or opposition leader Tony Abbott and his much derided boat buyback plan.
Besides, they are at first reluctant to admit any connection to the people-smuggling trade.Besides, they are at first reluctant to admit any connection to the people-smuggling trade.
"Oh no, there is nothing like that. This is a fishing village, no one is smuggled from here," says Wasti, a fisherman's wife, as she slaps small fish on a wooden board and guts them with a machete. Her husband nods in agreement. Fisherman, he says, are too afraid of the consequences."Oh no, there is nothing like that. This is a fishing village, no one is smuggled from here," says Wasti, a fisherman's wife, as she slaps small fish on a wooden board and guts them with a machete. Her husband nods in agreement. Fisherman, he says, are too afraid of the consequences.
It's the standard response in a poor seaside village suspicious of outsiders, but it doesn't take too long for the truth to emerge.It's the standard response in a poor seaside village suspicious of outsiders, but it doesn't take too long for the truth to emerge.
Local fishermen have sold their boats to people smuggling syndicates, some have been jailed for aiding the illegal trade and several boats carrying asylum seekers from Iran, Pakistan and Afghanistan have left their coastline in recent months.Local fishermen have sold their boats to people smuggling syndicates, some have been jailed for aiding the illegal trade and several boats carrying asylum seekers from Iran, Pakistan and Afghanistan have left their coastline in recent months.
Abbott has proposed the Coalition will spend $20m to buy boats from local fishermen, purportedly so they do not sell them to people-smugglers first, part of his $420m package aimed at curbing the number of unauthorised boat arrivals.Abbott has proposed the Coalition will spend $20m to buy boats from local fishermen, purportedly so they do not sell them to people-smugglers first, part of his $420m package aimed at curbing the number of unauthorised boat arrivals.
Most fishermen in the village live in dingy bamboo huts on the shoreline, and if the catch is poor they take home just $50 a week.Most fishermen in the village live in dingy bamboo huts on the shoreline, and if the catch is poor they take home just $50 a week.
"Sure, if the price is right, I would sell," says fisherman and boat owner Ansori, 35, after hearing of the plan."Sure, if the price is right, I would sell," says fisherman and boat owner Ansori, 35, after hearing of the plan.
Ansori, who like many in the village goes by one name, says middlemen for people-smugglers have offered to buy his boat numerous times in recent years.Ansori, who like many in the village goes by one name, says middlemen for people-smugglers have offered to buy his boat numerous times in recent years.
The exorbitantly high rates they offered didn't seem right, he says, and he was scared that if anything went awry the boat would be traced back to him.The exorbitantly high rates they offered didn't seem right, he says, and he was scared that if anything went awry the boat would be traced back to him.
Ansori declined to sell each time, but says that if the Australian government offered enough, he would.Ansori declined to sell each time, but says that if the Australian government offered enough, he would.
"If I sold my boat for a lot of money maybe I would even have enough money to build two boats. We are fishermen," he shrugs, "If they buy a boat, we can easily build another one.""If I sold my boat for a lot of money maybe I would even have enough money to build two boats. We are fishermen," he shrugs, "If they buy a boat, we can easily build another one."
Working on the deck of his latest boat, fishermen Terso would gladly sell too.Working on the deck of his latest boat, fishermen Terso would gladly sell too.
"Sure, I would sell just one of my boats and use the money to renovate the other two," he laughs, after hearing news of the policy for the first time."Sure, I would sell just one of my boats and use the money to renovate the other two," he laughs, after hearing news of the policy for the first time.
The fishermen are quick to see the flaws in Abbott's proposed buyback plan, even if it might benefit them. Rather than quashing the people-smuggling business model, they say, Abbott's plan would be more likely to fund the improvement and expansion of the local fishing industry.The fishermen are quick to see the flaws in Abbott's proposed buyback plan, even if it might benefit them. Rather than quashing the people-smuggling business model, they say, Abbott's plan would be more likely to fund the improvement and expansion of the local fishing industry.
Labuhan, 146 km from Jakarta and its megamalls, is a sleepy village dotted by coconut trees, rice paddies and weathered weekend villas.Labuhan, 146 km from Jakarta and its megamalls, is a sleepy village dotted by coconut trees, rice paddies and weathered weekend villas.
The coastline of west and south Java, the closest Indonesian mainland to Christmas Island, stretches for hundreds of kilometres and through countless similar villages.The coastline of west and south Java, the closest Indonesian mainland to Christmas Island, stretches for hundreds of kilometres and through countless similar villages.
Given the number of boats in a nation made up of thousands of islands and millions of fishermen, the policy has been ridiculed by many in Australia and Indonesia.Given the number of boats in a nation made up of thousands of islands and millions of fishermen, the policy has been ridiculed by many in Australia and Indonesia.
Even Abbott has been forced to concede the plan may not go ahead if he becomes prime minister. Still, this week he has continued to argue that it would be a "shrewd investment" if the government spent "a couple of thousand dollars" to stop boats leaving Indonesia.Even Abbott has been forced to concede the plan may not go ahead if he becomes prime minister. Still, this week he has continued to argue that it would be a "shrewd investment" if the government spent "a couple of thousand dollars" to stop boats leaving Indonesia.
The starting price for the kind of large, dilapidated boats used by people smugglers is $40,000, and they can cost as much as $150,000.The starting price for the kind of large, dilapidated boats used by people smugglers is $40,000, and they can cost as much as $150,000.
People-smugglers also buy smaller cheaper boats – like the 12-metre boat Terso sold to a presumed smuggling syndicate for $7,500 in 2011 – that are used to take asylum seekers to larger vessels waiting out at sea.People-smugglers also buy smaller cheaper boats – like the 12-metre boat Terso sold to a presumed smuggling syndicate for $7,500 in 2011 – that are used to take asylum seekers to larger vessels waiting out at sea.
Many asylum seekers stay in Cisarua, some 60km from Jakarta, before they are transported to quiet beaches where they board boats directly. Villagers hardly see them and fishermen are mostly involved by selling their boats to middlemen.Many asylum seekers stay in Cisarua, some 60km from Jakarta, before they are transported to quiet beaches where they board boats directly. Villagers hardly see them and fishermen are mostly involved by selling their boats to middlemen.
"They said they wanted the boat for fishing but if they want to sell it again it's none of my business," Terso says."They said they wanted the boat for fishing but if they want to sell it again it's none of my business," Terso says.
He admits he was suspicious when outsiders approached him wanting to buy the boat and the engine, but none of the accompanying fishing equipment.He admits he was suspicious when outsiders approached him wanting to buy the boat and the engine, but none of the accompanying fishing equipment.
Months later the boat was found stranded on nearby Panaitan Island. Word of mouth in the village is that boats discarded by people smugglers wind up there.Months later the boat was found stranded on nearby Panaitan Island. Word of mouth in the village is that boats discarded by people smugglers wind up there.
In July a man from Jakarta offered Terso $40,000 for his larger, 25-metere boat. Terso initially says he declined because he was suspicious, but then quickly changes tack.In July a man from Jakarta offered Terso $40,000 for his larger, 25-metere boat. Terso initially says he declined because he was suspicious, but then quickly changes tack.
"Actually I said no because I love this boat, I built it from scratch," he says."Actually I said no because I love this boat, I built it from scratch," he says.
Another fisherman, Heri, says his friend was recently arrested for aiding people smugglers and another is weighing up whether to sell them a boat. Even if he doesn't, Heri says, there are plenty of other boats, and fishermen, around.Another fisherman, Heri, says his friend was recently arrested for aiding people smugglers and another is weighing up whether to sell them a boat. Even if he doesn't, Heri says, there are plenty of other boats, and fishermen, around.
Furrowing his brow, he asks, "Can't your government find another way?"Furrowing his brow, he asks, "Can't your government find another way?"
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