Jakarta, Mar. 16 (ANTARA) - The Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (MMAF) through fishermen badvocacy programs which held by General Directorate of Marine Resources and Fisheries (PSDKP), has succesfully repatriated four fishermen from Malaysia. By the repatriation of four fishermen this afternoon (Mar 15) at 12.05 WIB, Indonesia succeed to repatriate all fishermen that were detained by Malaysian securities. These four fishermen whom returned to Indonesia were from North Sumatera. The repatriation process was in Polonia Airport, Medan by using Lion Air aircraft, and handed over immediately to related fishermen families by the Director of Violation Management, General Directorate of PSDKP, together with the Head of Marine Affairs and Fisheries of North Sumatera Province.

A total of 4 (four) fishermen from North Sumatra named Adi Syahputra from Sei Bar, Cabalan, Langkat, Pangkalan Brandan. Awal and Syamsul Komar from Lalang village, Kuala Tanjung, Medang Deras, Batubara. Amir Khan from Dusun 2, Paluh Sebaji, Labu Beach, Deli Serdang, was the last fishermen who detained by Malaysian government. Previously, he was accused with illegal fishing and illegally entering the waters of Malaysia.

Earlier, the Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, Sharif C. Sutardjo stated that in the future there will not fishermen who arrested by Malaysian securities. By the Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of Indonesia and Malaysia on overcoming the fishermen by the securities of both countries, which has signed on January 27, 2012.

In this Memorandum of Understanding, both countries agreed to assist the traditional vessels that are lost to return to waters of their respective countries and do not catch and punish the traditional fishermen, except for vessels which conduct illegal fishing and use explosive and chemical materials. So if the Indonesian fishermen come into Malaysia were not arrested, but will be expelled to return to Indonesia and vice versa, so there will be no conflict.

The repatriation of all fishermen who were arrested by Malaysian securities is the result of advocacy activities which are actively implemented by the MMAF. Fishermen advocacy activities which held by General Directorate of PSDKP - Since 2010 until today the MMAF has boasted the repatriation of 225 fishermen who were arrested by neighboring countries, such as Malaysia, Australia, Republic of Palau, Papua New Guinea, and Timor Leste. In the future the MMAF expects number of fishermen who were arrested by the state neighbors on accusing of illegal fishing or trespassing region is expected to decline with the increasing of understanding of the fishermen about fisheries management area of the Republic of Indonesia. Therefore, the MMAF invites local government to jointly carry out development efforts and responsive action to problems faced by fishermen.

For further information, please contact Indra Sakti, SE., MM, Head of Data, Statistics and Information Center, the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (HP. 0818159705)



Reporter: Okta
Editor: PR Wire
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