President Asserts that Government is Serious to Eradicate Illegal Fishing
Arriving at Bakauheni Port, President Jokowi accompanied by Lampung Governor perform Dhuhur prayer at a mosque
President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) asserted that his government was very serious in addressing illegal fishing frequently committed by foreign boats in Indonesian waters.
We are serious (in eradicating illegal fishing), President asserted the reporters as they were on KMP Portlink III crossing from Merak Port to Bakauheni Port on Tuesday (25/11).
According to Jokowi, the Government was firm in stating that no more illegal fishing which would deplete Indonesian marine and fishery resources.
The most important thing is no more illegal fishing. It is our marine resources, our natural resources, Jokowi said.
President also said that cabinet meeting had also been held relating to this, as the one conducted with Coordinating Minister of Politic, Law, and Security (Polhukam), Minister of Marine and Fisheries, and Navy Chief of Staff (KSAL).
It is all a matter of lack of fuel (BBM). We are planning that the operation is routine and securing our marine resources, Jokowi said.
President hoped that more foreign boats committing illegal fishing would be arrested. More boats were supposed to be arrested last night. What is important is that we are serious, he added.
Previously, when giving briefing to the participants of the 51st and 52nd Regular Education Program of National Resilience Institute (Lemhanas) 2014 at State Palace, Jakarta on Tuesday (18/11), President Jokowi said that he had instructed Minister of Marine and Fisheries Susi Pudjiastuti to sink foreign boats committing illegal fishing in Indonesian waters. This step, according to President Jokowi, was to give deterrent effect in order to save our marine resources.
Just sink the foreign boats, dont only be arrested. If we dont sink them, our marine resources are depleted, President Jokowi said at the moment.
According to data at Ministry of Marine and Fishery, up to November 2014 together with joint team across sectors, the Ministry had successfully arrested 35 boats committing illegal fishing in Indonesian waters.
The initial data said that the 35 arrested boats were from among others Thailand, Vietnam and Philippines.
Ferry Services
In the opportunity, President Jokowi also expressed his opinion regarding services in ferry boat such as the one crossing Merak and Bakauheni Port. President asked to improve the service as many deficiencies were still found.
There are still a lot to improve, President Jokowi said.
President said that one of the things to be improved was the service of terminal system which should be more connected with ferry service system.
However, the President also realized that the numbers of ferries currently available were inadequate to fulfill the passengers expectation.
On the ferry boarded by the President and his entourage, Jokowi took time to meet passengers and listen to their complaints.
President Joko Widodo and First Lady Iriana Widodo arrived at Merak Port, Banten at 09:00 Western Indonesian Time, to visit some provinces in Sumatera.
Accompanying President Jokowi in the visit among others were Minister of Transportation Ignasius Jonan, Minister of State Owned Enterprises Rini Soemarno, and Minister of Public Works and Public Housing Basuki Hadimuljono. (*/ANT/ES)
