Finally! Malaysia Beat Johan, A Riau Islands Fisherman Who Had Been Arrested, This Petang Arriving In Entikong

Documentation - Traditional fishermen pass through the waves of the waters of the Malacca Strait, Ujong Blang area, Lhokseumawe, Aceh. ANTARA

KEPRI - The Malaysian government has repatriated Johan, one of two traditional fishermen from the Riau Islands, to Indonesia via Entikong, Sanggau Regency, West Kalimantan. Head of the Riau Islands Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Service Tengku Said Arif Fadillah said Johan's return to Indonesia was accompanied by Budiman, an official at the Consulate General of the Republic of Indonesia Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia. Johan is scheduled to arrive in Entikong on Wednesday afternoon and will spend the night at the Entikong Immigration House which borders Malaysia. Arif is currently also waiting for Johan's arrival in Pontianak, West Kalimantan, which is scheduled to arrive on Thursday afternoon. A day later Johan will depart from Pontianak to Batam by plane. "I accompanied Johan's return to Batam," said Arif when contacted by Antara from Tanjungpinang, Wednesday, September 27. Arriving in Batam, a number of Natuna Regency Government officials have also been waiting and will accompany Johan back to his house. "I have asked the Natuna Regency Government officials to pick up the residents. Hopefully Johan can meet his family in Natuna, the day after tomorrow," added Arif. Meanwhile, Kasnadi, another fisherman from Riau Islands as well as Johan's father-in-law, who is still being held in Malaysia, is scheduled to undergo trial on October 3, 2022. Arif Fadillah said the Indonesian Consulate General in Kuching was trying to help release the traditional fishermen from the Riau Islands from legal snares. "From the start, the central government, the Indonesian Consulate General and the Riau Islands DKP coordinated so that (Kasnadi) the father of Johan was released by the Malaysian Government. We are optimistic that Kasnadi can return to the country early next month," he said. He told that Kasnadi and his son Johan went to sea to catch fish using a boat with a capacity of 3 GT. Both were arrested by Malaysian Fisheries Patrol officers in Tanjung Manis Waters, Serawak, East Malaysia, on September 8, 2022. "They accidentally entered the waters of Tanjung Manis. They were adrift when they went to sea because of high waves," he said. Last week, Arif Fadillah provided moral support to the families of Kasnadi and Johan in Ranai, Natuna, as well as provide assistance. "We provide assistance to cover daily needs. This is personal assistance, not institutions," he said.