Banda Aceh, Aceh (ANTARA) – The Aceh provincial government will repatriate three East Aceh fishermen–who were found in Langkawi, Malaysia, after being stranded in the sea for days–to Indonesia through Medan, North Sumatra.
“Insyaallah (God willing), the Aceh government, through the social office, will repatriate them on Friday (September 30, 2022) via Kualanamu Airport (North Sumatra),” Head of the Aceh Social Office Yusrizal informed here on Wednesday.
The fishermen’s departure from Malaysia is being taken care of by a team from the Indonesian Embassy in Malaysia, he said.
After arriving at Kualanamu Airport, they will be picked up by representatives of the Aceh government and taken to their respective hometowns.
“They will be repatriated from Malaysia to Medan (Indonesia) by the Indonesian Embassy, then they will be transported to Banda Aceh first, or directly to East Aceh,” he said.
Yusrizal emphasized that no obstacles have been faced in the repatriation process so far and all administrative matters have been resolved.
“We have also coordinated with the Social Office in East Aceh to accompany their return process,” he added.
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The fishermen have been identified by their initials as MY (34), SI (50), and FK (29). All three are residents of Peudawa, East Aceh district.
Earlier, it was reported that three fishermen from East Aceh had been found safe in Langkawi, Malaysia.
The fishermen had sailed from Kuala Peudawa, East Aceh, on September 13. Their ship’s engine had reportedly stopped working afterstriking a piece of wood in the middle of the sea.
They were found two days later by the Langkawi sea police and received health assistance.
“They are in good health and still in Langkawi; they were found about five days ago,” deputy secretary-general of Aceh Sea, Commander Miftach Tjut Adek, informed in Banda Aceh on Friday (September 23).
Related news: Aceh police arrest 8 Indian fishermen for illegal fishing