"We are not in a position to reject the governments policy on prohibiting the sale of our fish catch to Malaysia," said Murni, a local fisherman, in response to the governments policy here Wednesday.
Murni said what the government needs to do is building such facilities as cold storage that the fishermen from Sebatik Island, Indonesias closest island to the Malaysian border, need.
The fish and shrimp that the fishermen on the island of Sebatik catch are usually sold to Tawau, the third largest town in the Malaysian State of Sabah because of higher prices, the 50-year-old fisherman said.
Instead, the traditional fishermen, like him, will get difficulties if facilities such as cold storage are not available, while they are not allowed to sell their fish catch to overseas markets, such as Malaysia, he said.
Due to the unavailability of the cold storage facility on Sebatik Island, the local fishermen could not keep their fish catch for a long time, Murni said.
President Joko Widodo on Tuesday visited Sebatik Island in Nunukan District, North Kalimantan Province, to see the real condition of the countrys front line to the Malaysian border.
The head of states visit has shown the central governments strong commitment to accelerating the development of the countrys border areas, Acting North Kalimantan Governor Irianto Lambrie said.
Reported by M Rusman
(T.R013/C/R013/F001)
Editor: Aditia Maruli Radja
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