The head of state, accompanied by First Lady Ani Yudhoyono, arrived at the location at 8.45 am and walked straight to the fish auction site and listened to the coordinator of the event.
After observing the auction for a while, the President also inspected a fuelling station for fishermen, which had stop operating due to power supply problems.
Some fishermen complained to him that after the fuelling station stopped operating, they had to buy fuel at a higher price than what they were paying for the fuel from Pertamina.
"We bought fuel at the rate of Rp5,500 per litre in jerrycans," said Ikhsan, a 56-year-old fisherman.
"Our waters are also getting polluted by toxic and harmful waste, which is causing much harm to the fish population in the area," he pointed out.
The President was also accompanied by Minister of Public Works Joko Kirmanto, State Secretary Sudi Silalahi, Cabinet Secretary Dipo Alam, Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources Tjijip Satuardjo Sharif, Director of Pertamina Karen Agustiawan and other officials.
(S038/KR-BSR/O001)
Editor: Jafar M Sidik
Copyright © ANTARA 2013
