Some 23 langkat fishermen caught by malaysian maritime 0fficers

If not, more fishermen of Langkat will be caught by Malaysian maritime forces in the future,"

Langkat, North Sumatra (ANTARA News) - Twenty-three traditional fishermen of Langkat district in North Sumatra have been caught by Malaysian maritime officers.

The wives of the fishermen here on Tuesday came to the Langkat administration office to ask the district administration to help secure the release of their husbands.

"We have asked the Langkat district administration to immediately make efforts to secure the release of our husbands caught by Malaysian maritime officers," one of the wives, Siti Halizah, said.

"Who else can we ask for help if not to the Langkat administration," she said.

Siti Halizah said tens of Langkat fishermen from Sei Bilah in the sub-district of Sei Lepan had been caught by Malaysian maritime officers.

"This is the first we came to ask for the protection and release of our husbands," she said.

Another wife, Murni, meanwhile had asked the Indonesian government to fight for the release of the fishermen.

They also asked the Indonesian navy to more frequently conduct patrols in the country`s waters so that the security of the fishermen was really assured.

"If not, more fishermen of Langkat will be caught by Malaysian maritime forces in the future," Murni said.

The secretary of Langkat district administration, Surya Djahisa, who received the delegation of wives of the fishermen said he would immediately report their request to the district head.

"I will report it as soon as possible," he said.

Surya Djahisa also said he would coordinate with the Indonesian consul in Pulau Penang, Malaysia, in connection with the case.

Ali Mukti Siregar as head of fisheries and marine resource service of Langkat, said on a separate occasion that he would immediately send a letter to the ministry of fisheries and marine resources in connection with the case.

"We will send a letter to the ministry of fisheries and marine resources to seek the release of the fishermen," he said. (*)

Editor: Aditia Maruli Radja
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