Indonesia repatriates 23 enslaved Myanmar crew
thejakartapost.com | National | Tue, January 12 2016, 4:04 PM
In this April 3 file photo, Burmese fishermen prepare to board a boat during a rescue operation in Benjina, Aru Islands, Indonesia. (AP/Dita Alangkara)
National News
The Indonesian government has repatriated 23 Myanmar citizens who were enslaved as crew on a Thai-owned fishing vessel, after the victims had settled their cases with fishing companies. The repatriation process started in December last year.
Fisheries Minister Susi Pudjiastuti said that of the total of 103 enslaved crew members, 73 have had their claims and salaries paid out by the fishing company, leaving 30 people still to undergo the process. Those waiting are currently taking shelter in Ambon, Maluku.
"In December, 23 Myanmar citizens were returned to their homeland, with the cooperation of the International Organization for Migration," Susi said in a press conference on Monday as quoted by kompas.com at the office of the anti-illegal fishing task force.
The next repatriation group, she continued, would leave on Jan. 12, with 14 people. The other 24 persons are yet to receive their certificates of identity from the Myanmar government, which is still running a citizenship verification process.
Details of crew members being repatriated:
1. Sumber Laut Utama and Maju Bersama Jaya: five out of 12 crew have been repatriated
2. S&T Mitra Mina Industri and Era Sistem Informasindo: 10 of 12 crew have received their salary and four have been repatriated.
3. Biota Indo Persada, Jaring Mas, Hadidgo, Thalindo Arumina Jaya and Tanggul Mina Nusantara: 51 of 79 crew have received their salary and 14 have been repatriated. (ags)(+)
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Indonesia repatriates 23 enslaved Myanmar crew | The Jakarta Post
Indonesia needs to keep momentum on fishery exports
Anton Hermansyah, thejakartapost.com, Jakarta | Business | Tue, January 12 2016, 10:08 AM
Two fishing ships captured for destructive fishing in Southeast Sulawesi water on April 17, 2012. (Antara/Embong Salampessy)
Business News
Indonesia needs to maintain the momentum in fishery exports as its strict measures against illegal fishing contributed to an increase in exports last year, a researcher said on Monday.
Center for Policy Analysis fishery researcher Suhana said the moratorium on permits issued to foreign fishing vessels in 2014 and 2015 had contributed to an increase in tuna exports to the US last year, while neighboring Thailand and the Philippines saw decreases.
"We need to take this opportunity to become the largest fishery product exporter," Suhana said at a press conference held by the People’s Coalition for Equal Fisheries (KIARA).
Citing latest data from the Maritime Affairs and Fishery Ministry on tuna fish exports to the US, Suhana said that Indonesian exports booked a 7.73 percent increase year-on-year from January to September 2015, while exports from Thailand and the Philippines decreased 17.36 percent and 32.59 percent, respectively.
He added that the main markets for Indonesian fishery products were faraway, such as Japan and the US. Southeast Asian countries were export-oriented and did not import from each other No country had a percentage of imports from other ASEAN countries higher than 50 percent except Brunei, which was at 81.89 percent, Suhana added.
"Even in Southeast Asia, only Indonesia and Vietnam have surpluses in fishery product exports-imports. ASEAN countries usually only import fishery products from other ASEAN countries to be processed and exported again to countries outside of ASEAN," Suhana said.(+)
- See more at: Indonesia needs to keep momentum on fishery exports | The Jakarta Post
