Malaysia wants to import more fish from Indonesia

Jakarta, InfoPublik – Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Minister Susi Pudjiastuti received a visit from Malaysian Agriculture and Fisheries Minister Dato Sri Ahmaad Shabery Chee to discuss cooperation opportunity.

"I recently receive a visit from Malaysian Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries. We have a bilateral meeting to discuss MoU," said Minister Susi in a press release on Monday (5/2).

Ms. Susi also explained that one of the topics discussed at the meeting was Malaysia’s interest to import more fish from Indonesia.

"They want to buy more fish from Indonesia. We will later have an MoU for satellite and radar data exchange and possibly joint patrol," she said. “Malaysia needs fresh fish from Indonesia, because their fish are also stolen.”

"They lack of fish supply, while the need or demand is high. So, we will export more to Malaysia," she said.

Marine Affairs and Fisheries Ministry’s director general of capture fisheries Narmoko Prasmadji said that last year, Indonesia’s fish export to Malaysia reached US$140 million. This figure is higher than Indonesia’s total import from Malaysia at US$19 million.

"We mostly export grouper. For import, we only import a few seasonal commodities, such as mackerel and others," said Mr. Narmoko. (Translator: Penni Patmawati Rusman)