Released Sekinchan fishermen due to return tomorrow

The two Sekinchan fishermen held by Indonesian authorities and pardoned by Indonesian President Joko Widodo are expected to return here by tomorrow morning, according to Sungai Besar UMNO.

Its chief, Datuk Jamal Md Yunos, said the documentation process was being completed to enable Chua Lee Teck, 45, and Heng Chee Yong, 29, to be brought back to Malaysia immediately.

"Upon their return, the fishermen will be handed over to the Malaysia Maritime Enforcement Agency for further action," he told reporters here today.

Jamal said the return of the fishermen was much-awaited by their families and Malaysians as all efforts to secure their release following detention in March had failed.

Asked whether the release of the fishermen was conditional, Jamal said he did not have any information on the matter.

"Efforts had been ongoing for a long time to secure the release of the fishermen, and now they have been pardoned by the Indonesian president.

"We are grateful, and this is a Barisan Nasional service to the people," he said.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi yesterday announced the release of the fishermen following Jokowi's signing of the pardon.

Chua, 45, and Heng, 29, were held by the Indonesian authorities on March 4 while fishing in two trawlers, which were also seized.

Jamal said efforts were being made to secure the release of the vessels, which he said would take some time due to the process involved.

In KUALA LUMPUR, Fisheries Development Authority (LKIM) chairman Datuk Irmohizam Ibrahim said the initiative taken by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi in contacting the Indonesian top leadership had helped to secure the release of the fishermen.

The Kuala Selangor MP said the success in securing the release of the fishermen showed that the government was concerned for the welfare of Malaysian fishermen.

He said the cordial relations between Indonesia and Malaysia had helped, through diplomatic means and negotiations, to resolve cross-border issues such as this.