"We counted 12 thousand fishermen. We`ll take good care of them. They will get a home," Luhut said.
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The government will take good care of some 12 thousand fishermen on the northern coast of Jakarta who will be affected by the resumption of the reclamation project on G Island.

This was revealed by Co-ordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs Luhut Binsar Panjaitan.

"We counted 12 thousand fishermen. Well take good care of them. They will get a home," he said, before meeting with the Budget Committee of the House of Representatives here on Wednesday.

"I already said yesterday that they will get assistance such as school fees for children and much more," he noted.

The fishermen have been given about 1,900 ships to support their livelihoods, according to Luhut.

He rejected statements that the fishermens sailing plans will be disrupted due to the resumption of the reclamation project on G Island.

The area around the reclamation has been polluted for a long time and unfit for fishing, he said.

"They cannot go to sea again in those areas because it has been contaminated for a long time," he added.

"The fishermen have to go to sea as far as 10 km-12 km from the place now," he explained.

Responding to a question that fishermen have been brought to the Natuna area, Luhut acknowledged that some fishermen had been sent there.

It was done in the national interest for the area is at risk of being claimed by other countries.

Earlier, Luhut asserted that the G Island reclamation project on the northern coast of Jakarta will resume.

According to him, there was no reason not to continue with the project undertaken by the Agung Podomoro subsidiary, PT Muara Wisesa Samudera.

The plan to continue the project was based on discussions with the Environment and Forests Ministry (KLHK), State Electricity Company (PLN), Agency for the Assessment and Application of Technology (BPPT), the Jakarta Provincial Government, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Ministry and Transportation Ministry.

According to an order from President Joko Widodo, the fate of 12 thousand fishermen on the northern coast of Jakarta affected by the reclamation project is a major concern for the government, he said.

The Jakarta Provincial Government also stated that the fishermen will get flats for shelter, 1,900 ships which are able to sail up to the Natuna Islands and the provision of clean water.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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