KOTA TINGGI, Malaysia - Seven Malaysian fishermen were detained by Indonesians claiming to be officers of the Indonesian Fisheries Department during a fishing trip in the waters off Pengerang.

Kota Tinggi OCPD Supt Osman Mohamed Sebot said it is believed that the seven have been taken to Batam in Indonesia.

Initial investigations revealed that the men were fishing within Malaysian waters, he said, adding that he had no idea why they were detained.

A total of 15 fishermen aged between 29 and 50 were fishing in Pengerang waters at about 9.30pm on Friday when the Indonesian authorities detained them and took them away in several boats.

However, a marine police patrol saw the Indonesian group and ordered them to stop the boat.

The order was not heeded.

Supt Osman said the marine police managed to intercept some of the boats rescuing eight fishermen and detaining three of the Indonesian men. Seven other fishermen were taken away in another boat.

"We believe the seven fishermen have been taken to Batam in Indonesia.

"We are also verifying if the Indonesian men are really from the Indonesian Fisheries Department," he said, adding that the three were clad in the department uniform.

"We are still in the dark on why the fishermen were detained. The nets cast by the fishermen are within Malaysian waters," he said.

Supt Osman said police was working with Wisma Putra to secure the release of the captured fishermen and contacting its counterpart in Indonesia to expedite their release.