Jakarta (Antara Bali) - The Ministry of Maritime and Fisheries affairs (KKP) has successfully released and repatriated 11 Indonesian fishermen after being detained by Malaysian authority.
KKP Minister Sharif C Sutarjo said here on Monday that the 11 fishermen from Langkat, North Sumatra, were caught by Malaysian authority on March 1, 2013.
In his effort to protect the fishermen, the maritime and fisheries minister held a meeting with Malaysian Ambassador to Indonesia Syed Munshe Afdzaruddin Syed Hassan on March 11, 2013 to discuss their release.
"After the meeting, the 11 fishermen were set free on March 15 and allowed to return to Perikanan Samudra port in Belawan on their two fishing vessels," Sharif said.
He added that the release of the fishermen was strengthened by advocacy support provided by the Directorate-General of Marine and Fishery Resource Monitoring (PSDKP), and Indonesian Consulate General in Penang, Malaysia.
"We really appreciate the determination and the effort of PSDKP, who has wholeheartedly been on our side to undertake the advocacy process to our fishermen during the detainment," said Sharif. (*/DWA)
