"This repatriation is the ministry`s effort to protect the six fishermen through the Fishermen advocacy programs implemented by the Directorate General of Marine Resources and Fisheries," said an official from the ministry, Syahrin Abdurrahman, here on Friday.
According to Syahrin Abdurrahman, the repatriation of six fishermen was also assisted by the Indonesian Embassy in Dili, Timor Leste, and the Government of Sinjai district, South Sulawesi.
The fishermen were returned home on Friday, Feb 24, through Ngurah Rai Airport, Denpasar, Bali.
The six fishermen are Kaharudin, Ambotan, Sieta, Bahtiar and Ramsa, from Sinjai district, South Sulawesi, and Lagi from Alor island NTT.
The fishermen had been arrested by the naval forces in Timor Leste`s Laspalos waters, Lautem district, on December 21, 2011.
They were charged with the criminal offense of illegal fishing and illegally entering Timor Leste`s territory.
The advocacy process revealed that the six fishermen sailed off-course during heavy rains, when they could not read the compass properly, and they were unaware that the ship had changed course.
"Originally they intended to fish in the northern waters of Wetar Island (Maluku), but they were then arrested for entering the East Timor area," he said.
According to Ichwan, the repatriation is a result of continuous advocacy activities by the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries.
He said the fishermen advocacy activities have been carried out since 2010, and have succeeded in the repatriation of 192 fishermen who had been arrested by neighboring countries such as Malaysia, Australia, Republic of Palau, Papua New Guinea, and Timor Leste.
(Uu.A50/INE/B003)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
Copyright © ANTARA 2012
