Malaysian fisherman detained in Indonesia to return home today

KUALA LUMPUR: It will be a joyful and meaningful Chinese New Year reunion for Malaysian fisherman, Low Siang Huat, who has been detained in Indonesia since Feb 16 last year, as he is scheduled to return home to his family today.
Ministry of Agriculture and Agro-based Industry secretary-general Datuk Seri Dr Ismail Bakar in a statement today said the release of Low, 59, from Pulau Ketam, from the Tanjung Pinang Prison yesterday, was agreed upon by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak and Indonesian President Joko Widodo during the 12th Malaysia-Indonesia Annual Leaders' Consultation in Kuching, Sarawak, in November last year.
"Currently, there are five more fishermen who are still incarcerated in the Indonesian prisons. A meeting on the release of the fishermen was held between Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek with Indonesian Marine Affairs and Fisheries Minister Susi Pudjiastuti on Jan 11.
"The Indonesians gave their assurance that all Malaysian fishermen detained by them will be released in stages beginning this month," he said in a statement today.
After his release, Low was taken on a ferry ride to Batam Island last night before flying home via Subang Airport today, he added.
Ismail said the MOA and the Malaysian Embassy in Indonesia would continue to follow the procedure of the release of five more detained fishermen, to enable them to return safely to their families.
The other five fishermen were Chia Kee Chan, 52, (Labuhan Deli Prison); Leong Bian Seng, 61, (Batam Prison); Abdul Rashid Nik, 53, and Kamaruzaman Awi, 47, (both detained at Lanal Terempa, Riau) and Mahabob Hasimat, 55, detained at the Tanjung Pinang Prison. — Bernama