TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Chandkid, owner of the MV Hai Fa, accused the Marine and Fisheries Minister Susi Pudjiastuti to have no understanding of the Maritime Law. Chandkid, through his attorney, requested President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo to evaluate Minister Susi's performance.
"If [she is] improper, dismiss her [from her position] as a minister," said Made Rahman Marasebis, Chandkid’s lawyer on April 23, 2015. Made argued that Susi's intervention towards the MV Hai Fa case is exaggerated and has no legal basis.
Previously, Minister Susi said that the MV Hai Fa was involved in illegal fishing by operating without proper documents. In addition, the ship was caught fishing the hammerhead shark, a species that has been included in Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, in other words.
The ship was also reported for switching off its vessel monitoring system (VMS) while sailing through Indonesian waters. The MV Hai Fa was charged with a mild sentence of Rp 200 million fines. Minsiter Susi later filed an appeal, hoping that the ship will be punished with a heavier sentence.
Made argued that Susi has no right to file an appeal because the sentence was exactly the same with what the prosecutors had requested.
Made also complained the fact that Minister Susi continues to seize the ship, which belongs to PT Antarticha Segara Lines, although its owner had paid the fines.
MOYANG KASIH DEWIMERDEKA