The KKP has advised Indonesian fishers to not violate any law in other countries' water territories.Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) and the Foreign Affairs Ministry synergized efforts to repatriate eight Indonesian fishers, who faced legal problems and were detained by the Malaysian authority.
According to KKP's press release here on Friday, six fishermen from North Sumatra taken into arrest by the Malaysian authority were repatriated through the Batam Centre Point International Ferry Terminal, Riau Islands, while two others were returned home via the Soekarno-Hatta Airport in Banten.
"The state is present in protecting our fishers. We cooperate with the Foreign Affairs Ministry and other institutions to repatriate six fishers from Langkat District, North Sumatra," Director General of Marine and Fisheries Resources Surveillance (PSDKP) at the KKP, Rear Admiral Adin Nurawaluddin, noted.
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Furthermore, Nurawaluddin explained that the six fishers had been picked up by Batam PSDKP officers at the Batam Centre Point International Ferry Terminal on Saturday, Dec 19, 2021. The six fishers were moved to the Tanjung Uncang flats to undergo quarantine.
"To prevent the transmission of COVID-19, quarantine is being imposed before they are returned home," he noted.
On May 5, 2021, in the waters of Kendi Island, Malaysia, the six fishers were arrested by the Malaysian authority as they had violated an immigration provision and underwent a court trial on November 16, 2021, according to Director of Violations Resolutions Teuku Elvitrasyah.
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The six were initially sentenced to six months in prison, but based on the period of detention since they were arrested, the judge ruled that the six fishermen had finished serving their sentences and could be repatriated to Indonesia, Elvitrasyah explained.
He also noted that recently, other two fishermen from Langkat District had been returned home on Thursday, Dec 16, via the Soekarno-Hatta Airport and were currently under quarantine at Wisma Atlet Jakarta.
On several occasions, the KKP has advised Indonesian fishers to not violate any law in other countries' water territories.
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Translator: M Rahman, Kenzu T
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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