They would do anything to stop the fight against illegal fishing."Yogyakarta (ANTARA News) - Fisheries Minister Susi Pudjiastuti stated here on Tuesday that no fishermen had been involved in mass demonstrations in several regions across Indonesia so far to protest her policies.
"Who are the fishermen who have been involved in demonstrations? You journalists may not say that," she said, replying to a newsmans question here on Tuesday.
She claimed that to date, she had seen no fishermen taking to the street to rally against her policies.
She said the demonstrations were being conducted by those businessmen who have often violated Indonesias fisheries policies.
"The demonstrators in Muara Baru (Jakarta) are actually workers who have been ordered by businessmen to carry out these demonstrations," she stated.
She noted the firm action the government had taken against illegal fishing activities had caused businessmen operating in the fisheries sector, who used to profit from their activities, to demand a change in the policy.
"They would do anything to stop the fight against illegal fishing. They have approached state officials or parties they believe have the power to do this, but I believe President Jokowi (Joko Widodo) has resolved to crack down on illegal fishing activities," she added.
(Reported by RH Napitupulu/Uu.KR-RHN/H-YH/INE/KR-BSR/F001)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
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